Renewable Energy
Go Green Renewable Energy.
In this section you can:
- Totally Green
- Net Metered System
- Net Metering Rebates
- SMPA's Green Fund
- Tri-State's Responsible Energy Plan
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future.
The SMPA Green Fund
The mission of San Miguel Power Association, Inc. includes the goal of "providing our members with... environmentally responsible electrical service."
In recent years, the falling cost and proliferation of renewable energy technologies have been allowing power consumers to be more selective about the electricity they use. San Miguel Power Association brings these choices to you. This suite of options gives consumers full power over their own carbon footprint due to electricity consumption.
These programs are made possible by the SMPA Green Fund. It is a pool of money, separate from the SMPA General fund, that acts as a funnel. Its voluntary input programs collect money, which is then channeled to outcome programs that help participants tap into renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
Green Fund Inputs:
Green Fund Feeder: The newest and simplest way to use 100% renewable energy. Now, every drop of electricity you use is coming from renewable sources like solar wind, and hydro. Estimated cost for an average residential home: $8 - $10 per month.
- One-time sign up
- 1¢ per kWh bill adder
- Renewably-sourced energy, dude!
Green Fund Feeder: Members can buy extra renewable energy in 100 kWh blocks. A flexible way to offset home or business energy use, or other components of a carbon footprint. Buying one Green Block is equivalent to not driving your car for 1,800 miles or planting 1/2 acre of trees.
- Offsets energy consumption
- 1 Block = 100kWh = $1.00
- Avg. Home uses 800 - 1,000 kWh/mo.
Green Fund Feeder: Power bills are rounded up the nearest whole dollar.
- Simple, Easy, Voluntary (opt-out)
- Round-up program
- Average cost: $7.00/yr.
Members may cancel participation any time during regular business hours by calling (970) 864-7311.
Increase amount of contribution or cancel participation for Green Cents, or call your local SMPA office.
Green Fund Feeder: Contracts with local renewable power generators provides an income stream for the Green Fund.
- Local, Renewable Projects
- Power Purchase Agreements
- Under 5% Wholesale Contract Carve-out
Green Fund Outcomes:
Green Fund Output: Help defray the cost of renewable power systems.
- Solar Photovoltaic Residential
- Solar Photovoltaic Commercial
- Small Wind Residential
- Solar Domestic Hot Water
Green Fund Output:
- "I.Q." = Income Qualified
- I. Q. Weatherization
- Complete Energy Audit
- Home Efficiency Upgrades
- No Cost to Member
- I.Q. Solar
- Efficiency Upgrades Completed
- Solar Array - Norwood, CO
Green Fund Output: Local Small Hydro and Solar
- Historic Bridal Veil Hydro
- Pandora Hydro
- Historic Ouray Hydro
- Coal Creek Hydro
- Paradox Solar = 1 MW
- I.Q. Solar, Norwood, CO
- Last Dollar Solar
Green Fund Output:
- Member-owned (Behind the Meter)
- Electricity flows both directions
- SMPA provides when system is not producing
- Production credited to Bill
Green Fund Output: The cheapest kWh is the one you never use.
- Check out our efficiency rebates
- Use SmartHub to track your energy use