Xcel lauded for adding solar capacity, blasted for costing solar jobs in Colorado
Xcel Energy shines nationally when it comes to providing solar energy to its customers, according to a recent survey, but locally representatives of Colorado's solar industry say the state's largest utility has done much to undermine their energy sector since the beginning of the year.
The 2010 SEPA Utility Solar Rankings report produced by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) ranked Xcel fourth out of 230 utilities surveyed in the solar megawatts-per-customer category, which measures solar power added per customer served. Xcel also moved up to fifth (from 14th) in SEPA's rankings of utilities based on overall megawatt capacity of solar power.
“Solar energy will continue to play a role in Xcel Energy's future as we move toward meeting a renewable energy goal of 30 percent by 2020,” said Jay Herrmann, Xcel's vice president of marketing, referring to a renewable energy standard mandated by the State Legislature in 2010.
SEPA President and CEO Julia Hamm said the association's survey found a 100 percent increase in solar capacity added in 2010 compared to 2009, largely because of the efforts of utilities such as Minnesota-based Xcel.
“Xcel Energy has developed creative business models and approaches that are appropriate for its environment and that bring the benefits of solar power to its operations, its customers and our society,” Hamm said.
But critics of the utility continue to complain that Xcel's sudden and unexpected curtailing of its Solar Rewards rebate program earlier this year cost Colorado's solar sector hundreds of jobs since mid-February.
“Xcel's actions have been alarmingly destructive to Colorado's economy,” Neal Lurie, executive director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CSEIA), recently told the Denver Business Journal. The group estimates the slashing of Solar Rewards has cost nearly 600 jobs.
The 2010 SEPA Utility Solar Rankings report produced by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) ranked Xcel fourth out of 230 utilities surveyed in the solar megawatts-per-customer category, which measures solar power added per customer served. Xcel also moved up to fifth (from 14th) in SEPA's rankings of utilities based on overall megawatt capacity of solar power.
SEPA President and CEO Julia Hamm said the association's survey found a 100 percent increase in solar capacity added in 2010 compared to 2009, largely because of the efforts of utilities such as Minnesota-based Xcel.
“Xcel Energy has developed creative business models and approaches that are appropriate for its environment and that bring the benefits of solar power to its operations, its customers and our society,” Hamm said.
But critics of the utility continue to complain that Xcel's sudden and unexpected curtailing of its Solar Rewards rebate program earlier this year cost Colorado's solar sector hundreds of jobs since mid-February.
“Xcel's actions have been alarmingly destructive to Colorado's economy,” Neal Lurie, executive director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CSEIA), recently told the Denver Business Journal. The group estimates the slashing of Solar Rewards has cost nearly 600 jobs.
0 Comments on "Xcel lauded for adding solar capacity, blasted for costing solar jobs in Colorado"
Be the first to comment below.
Vail Town Council to weigh new plan to redevelop T... 
All about indexes 
Transforming your social security into a winning r... 
Pass sales, real estate transactions, revenues inc... 
Vail Valley native with passion for Biophilic inte... 
Beaver Creek starts work on new summer activities 
Land Trust, ECO Trails, Vail Resorts team up to cl... 
EUROVISION named Host Broadcaster for 2015 World A... 
Vail Resorts brings back Lindsey Vonn's 'School of... 
Hundreds turn out for 2015 World Championships vol... 
Eagle County Senior Health Expo and 9th Annual Hea... 
Final race of Vail Mountain Trail Running Series s... 
Before you write your will ... 
2015 World Ski Championships volunteer recruitment... 
Ascent Sotheby’s International Realty in Vail an... 
CDOT outlines road closures for local stages of US... 
Italian artist creates unique trophies for Vail, B... 
Vail Recreation District once again hosting Jake W... 
RSS Feed