Home Grown Renewable Generation
Produce clean, renewable energy at your home or business using solar, wind, micro-hydro or other small-scale renewable resource. Help OPALCO reduce the need to buy electricity on the open market. Receive utility, state and federal rebates. More than 60 OPALCO members are currently generating renewable energy tied to OPALCO’s system. If you can’t be a generator yourself, you can still participate by supporting MORE Local Power. Sign up for MORE today!
PRE-APPROVAL IS REQUIRED for member-owned renewable generators tied to OPALCO’s system.
Projects must be pre-approved by OPALCO through the interconnection application process before installation. Before diving into the project and paperwork, please contact us. We will work with you to sort through all of the requirements and standards.
- See the Interconnection Checklist for step by step instructions.
- Download the Interconnection Application
- Download the Agreement for Interconnection
- Members can choose either a Net Metering or Buy/Sell Interconnect contract to receive credit or payment for surplus energy generated. (see Member Service Policy #14: Interconnection of Member Generators (3/18/11). Projects must meet OPALCO’s Interconnection Standards; 200 kilowatts is the maximum size for a system.
Current Incentives
UTILITY: MORE – Member Owned Renewable Energy. OPALCO’s new green power program is funded by voluntary member donations to provide a production credit to local renewable member generators. Incentive amount is currently $0.30/kWh for systems coming online through June 30, 2012.
STATE: WA Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Program The actual production incentives range from $0.12/kWh to $.54/kWh, as the incentive rate is higher for modules and inverters manufactured in Washington. The incentive is capped at $5,000 per year
FEDERAL: Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit: a taxpayer may claim a credit of 30% of qualified expenditures for a system that serves a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a residence by the taxpayer. For more information and details see www.direusa.org or www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Useful Links for Renewables
- American Solar Energy Society
- Northwest Community Solar Guide
- US DOE Renewable Energy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Small Wind Certification Council
Technology Watch
- Tidal Research
- Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology
- An incredibly informative video about photovoltaics from IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
To learn more, contact us.
