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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 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
