Quick Fact: Understanding the Change in Solar Rates
How will the new rate structure affect member generators?
- The average solar producer will pay a little more to OPALCO each year, but there are many factors (such as size of array, household energy usage) and some might find they pay less.
- Current solar producers can opt out of the new tariff (by June 30, 2022). Here is the form to remain on the legacy tariff: https://energysavings.opalco.com/solar-tariff-opt-out-form/
- Surplus energy produced will be a credit on their bill each month, instead of banking credits and getting a check each year. The surplus energy will be carried over in dollar amounts and show up as a credit on your power bill.
- OPALCO will buy power from solar producers at $0.0882** per kWh (2022 rates) when they produce more power than they use. Solar producers will continue buying power from OPALCO at the retail rate (2022 retail rate is $0.1133**), just like the rest of the membership, when they don’t have enough generation to meet their need. This tariff will be adjusted each year.
- Return on investment could shift for members starting new solar (or other renewable) projects, depending on size of array and their total energy usage.
OPALCO cares about building a healthy and sustainable energy future and is working hard to protect and improve the environment with our decarbonization efforts and advocacy in the region. Solar plays an important role in this future.
The change affects the rate that members who produce their own power are paid for the excess power that they sell back to the Co-op.
Learn more:
- Read the November 2021 Board Materials.
- Review member tariffs in the Document Library.
- Review Solar Rate presentation from the September board materials.
* ‘member generators’ include co-op members who produce local renewable power connected to OPALCO’s grid using solar, wind and micro-hydro. The majority produce energy with solar; ‘solar producer’ is used interchangeably.
