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| - HIDE EXPLANATION |
Utility Solar Case Studies
GreenChoiceProject Details:Top
| Utility Name: |
Austin Energy
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| Utility Type: |
Muni
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| Funding Source(s): |
Voluntary Customer Premium Payments
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| State: |
Texas | TX
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| Region: |
Central
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| Utility Program(s): |
Distributed Solar Systems,Green Pricing Program
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| Technology: |
PV
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Project Description:Top
GreenChoice is a voluntary green power program for customers sponsored by Austin Energy. The utility launched the program in mid-January of 2000. It is unique in that it is a long-term contract for fixed-price electricity that comes from renewable resources, similar to SMUD's SolarShares program.
Through the program, customers have a choice to enroll in GreenChoice and pay a higher rate to purchase electricity through the program from renewable resources.
This Green Rate replaces the traditional fuel adjustment charge portion of the electric rate with a fixed renewable energy charge. The GreenChoice charge of 5.5 cents per kWh is fixed until December 31, 2022, compared to the traditional fuel charge of 3.65 cents/kWh as of December 2008.
The GreenChoice charge is based on the actual cost of the renewable energy supply, based on the project costs within the GreenChoice portfolio. For an average residential customer consuming about 1,000 kWh per month, it will cost about $18.50 more per month for GreenChoice power. However, customers benefit from the price stability of renewable energy over the long-term, and the GreenChoice rate has been lower than the traditional fuel rate (for customers who signed up during that period) during early program offerings when wind energy contracts were low.
Most of the GreenChoice power comes from wind turbines and three landfill gas projects in Austin and San Antonio. The program also receives solar energy from installations on several city buildings, as well as residential and commercial solar systems installed through Austin Energy's Solar Rebate Program.
Project Partners:Top
N/A
Project Links:Top
General Project Description: http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Green%20Choice/index.htm
Power Point presentation: http://www.smu.edu/geothermal/GPW_TX/MarkKapnerGreenChoice_s.pdf
Customer Tools:
More Information:Top
