SLC Makes Major Commitment to Solar Power
Salt Lake City will soon be powering a sizable portion of its government operations with clean, renewable energy from the sun. The City has committed to a three megawatt (MW) subscription of solar energy through a new program offered by Rocky Mountain Power entitled Subscriber Solar.
“We are thrilled to align with Subscriber Solar and in invest in carbon-free energy to better serve our community,” says Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “This commitment is just one of many major steps we will make towards a more sustainable energy future during my time as Mayor.”
The three megawatt commitment more than doubles the amount of clean energy Salt Lake City is using to power its municipal operations. Through Subscriber Solar, the City will access a guaranteed amount of annual energy output for its enrolled meters and will lock-in costs associated with the energy generation charge portion of its bills for up to 20 years.
The Subscriber Solar commitment increases the total amount of owned or contracted renewable energy to 12% of the City’s municipal electricity needs. “Our goal is to provide 50% of municipal electricity with renewable energy by 2020 while on the pathway to 100% clean, renewable power,” says Mayor Jackie Biskupski.
Salt Lake City is also planning new solar installations on multiple fire stations for late 2016 and is evaluating additional future clean energy options through two feasibility analyses. The City currently has over 4,000 solar panels installed on its properties. However, this new Subscriber Solar commitment will provide more renewable energy output than all municipal projects completed to-date.
About the Rocky Mountain Power Subscriber Solar Program
Subscriber Solar is a new program offered by Rocky Mountain Power that allows customers to align their energy needs with power generated from a new solar farm. The 20 megawatt Subscriber Solar project is located in Holden, Utah, approximately two hours south of Salt Lake City, and will be completed in December 2016. Enrolled customers will be switched over to the Subscriber Solar rate schedule starting in January 2017. The program is now accepting commercial customers and residential customers can begin enrolling on June 21st. A limited amount of solar blocks are available and customers will be enrolled on a first come, first served basis.
More information is available at www.rockymountainpower.net/subscriber
Media Coverage
SLC mayor wants city running on clean energy by 2032
Biskupski Initiative To Bring More Solar Energy To Salt Lake City Government
SLC Solar Farm
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
- SLC Commits to Solar Power and Renewable Energy Solutions
- A Year in Review: Air Quality & Environment – SLC Mayor's Blog
- Mayors promise to act on climate. How much can they do? | Climate Change
- Four Creative Ways Cities Are Transitioning to a Clean Energy Future - Rocky Mountain Institute
- 4 creative ways cities are transitioning to a clean energy future – Menopausal Mother Nature
- 4 Creative Ways Cities Are Transitioning to a Clean Energy Future – CNCL
- 4 formas en que las ciudades sostenibles se están haciendo realidad - El Mejor Trujillo
slcGreen Blog 
Why does the city support RMP when they are trying to deincentivise rooftop solar with a solar surcharge? It will kill rooftop solar as it has in AZ and NV. RMP solar farm is funded by Blue Sky donors, not RMP and they get 20% from the blue sky donor funds.
Salt Lake City has participated in past Public Service Commission proceedings, and has been advocating alongside others for fair compensation for solar energy. We do however view Subscriber Solar as a positive step towards more customer choice and access to clean energy. Subscriber Solar is separate from Blue Sky and is not funded by those participants. Thanks for your input!
Congrats SLC! However the program is contingent upon first come first serve list. To facilitate SLC objective consider SolarCity FREE installation program Check it out!. Just c/p the link and get qualified. Real simple.
SolarCity will install the system for FREE and all you do is pay less for the electricity the system produces. If you’re a homeowner, I strongly encourage you to click the link below and fill out the short form to find out if you qualify and how much money you can save.
http://share.solarcity.com/a0p1400000h17sgaab
Way to go SLC! we’re making great strides here too! Solar energy is the new “wave” and it’s taking over!
We hope everyone adopts this technology soon! Solar is a growing technology in our area, and more and more homeowners are jumping on board.