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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016
Vol. CXXV, No. 22
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Published Since Since 1890 1890
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Tacoma Power community solar units on sale Feb. 23
Posted online Mon., Feb. 1 Photo Courtesy Tacoma Public Utilities Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) officials announced Monday customers can begin purchasing solar units this month as part of Tacoma Power's community solar project. TPU is building four 75-kilowatt solar arrays on its warehouse roof located at 3628 S. 35th St. (see "Tacoma Power to build community solar project," Tacoma Daily Index, Oct. 5, 2015; and "City of Tacoma Tacoma Public Utilities / Tacoma Power REQUEST," Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 11, 2015). Beginning on Tues., Feb. 23, Tacoma Power customers can buy 28.5-watt solar units for $100 each, with a limit of 20 units per power account. There will be 10,447 solar units available. Only Tacoma Power customers may buy solar units, and only customers who register at TacomaPower.com/CommunitySolar may buy solar units when they go on sale. Tacoma Power will sell solar units on a first-come, first-served basis for customers who have registered. Registration closes on Sun., Feb. 21. Community solar participants will receive an annual Washington State solar production incentive payment, provided the state continues the current solar incentive program, as well as payment for the electricity produced from the project, according to TPU officials. The estimated total payments for each $100 solar unit is $161.70. Tacoma Power will send incentive payments annually from 2016 to 2020. In 2020, customers will receive the final Washington State solar incentive payment, as well as payment for 16 years of projected electricity production between 2021 and 2036. More information is available online at TacomaPower.com/CommunitySolar. TPU and Tacoma Power included the following Q & A on their Web site.
What is community solar and why should I participate? Community solar is an easy way to support local renewable energy with a lower entry price than rooftop solar. You and others in your community share in the cost of the construction of a solar electric system. You don't have to worry about large start-up costs, siting, permitting, securing a contractor to install solar panel on your home – or ongoing maintenance costs of the panels and equipment. Tacoma Power's community solar program is based on an initiative from the Washington State Legislature in 2009. This initiative creates much of the benefit to these projects; therefore, if the initiative is changed or canceled, Tacoma Power may lose some or all of the advantages of Tacoma Pow-
er's community solar projects. Buying solar units is a personal decision, often based on financial and environmental perspectives. Financially, you can receive fairly substantial incentives from the state of Washington for your purchase of solar units. Environmentally, community solar contributes to renewable energy production for Tacoma Power's customers.
have potential for solar energy. Because the sun shines much more in summer than winter, it would require a very large and expensive system to generate enough electricity during the summer to last year around. Once Tacoma Power's community solar project is complete, you'll be able to see in real-time how much electricity the solar project produces at different times of the year. Is community solar available to all Tacoma Power customers? Yes. In fact, to participate in the community solar project, you must purchase electricity from us and be a Tacoma Power customer. Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and people who own and rent their homes/ apartments qualify to participate. Can I participate even if I don't own my house? Yes. As long as you are a Tacoma Power customer, you can participate.
How does the funding work for community solar? Tacoma Power will begin sales and construction of the community solar project in early 2016. All Tacoma Power customers are eligible to purchase solar units for $100 each. Customers who purchase solar units will receive a generous Washington state production incentive specifically for community solar – double the incentive for personal systems on a single home – through 2020. Participants will also receive payment for the percentage of energy generated. The estimated payback period for community solar is four years. Why is Tacoma Power building a community solar project? Tacoma Power, along with many other regional utilities, will build a community solar project to help customers take advantage of state incentives. Tacoma Power has a long history of renewable electricity – all of the power it produces is renewable hydropower. Nearly all of the power it purchases from the Bonneville Power Administration is renewable as well. Community solar is one more form of renewable energy to add to Tacoma Power's extensive portfolio. Can solar power work in Tacoma? es, despite being a rainy climate, the region does
Will I have solar panels at my house or business? No. Community solar is great because it doesn't require you to put solar panels on your home or business. The community solar project is jointly funded by participating utility customers and is located on the Tacoma Public Utilities campus. Where will the community solar project be located? Tacoma Power's community solar project(s) will be located on the roof of Tacoma Power's warehouse, located at 3628 S. 35th St., and visible from the Union Avenue overpass. Why should I sign up? Community solar provides an easy and affordable way to participate in a local solar energy project. You will receive an annual check through 2020 for the amount of electricity generated by your portion of the project, plus the state renewable energy incentive through July 1, 2020. The actual amounts of these checks will vary depending on a number of factors, and some of these factors may reduce or eliminate the financial benefits. These uncertainties are discussed in Exhibit A of Tacoma Power's Community Solar Participation Agreement. Based on projected average annual solar production for Tacoma, Tacoma Power estimates that each $100 solar unit you purchase may qualify for approximately up to $157 in incentives and the value of the solar energy CONTINUED produced through the end of ON PAGE 3