Renewable Energy
Increasing the use of renewable energy in Boulder and Boulder County is one of the primary strategies to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals of the ClimateSmart campaign. Once maximum energy conservation and efficiency are achieved, renewable energy is the next logical step towards carbon neutrality. There are various ways we can invest in renewable energy, from purchasing wind power for your home to installing solar systems that produce electricity or hot water. Renewable energy:
- reduces air pollution
- does not rely on foreign energy sources
- doesn't involve mining the earth & transporting raw materials
- uses less water than fossil fuel power plants
- emits few to no greenhouse gases and can add clean power to the grid
- is not subject to the same price volatility as the fossil fuel market
- can stimulate local economies
- is the wave of the future and is here today!
Financial Incentives for Renewables
City of Boulder Solar PV permit data
In 2008 the city of Boulder issued permits for 1993 kW of solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) panel permits. The average home's system is 3-5 kW. In 2009, through May, the city has issued permits for 519 kW of solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) panel permits. The emissions reductions from the use of 519 kW of solar panels instead of coal-fired electricity are equal to:
- 115 passenger cars not driven for one year
- 71,000 gallons of gas
- 87 average households' electricity use for one year
- 3.3 railcars of coal burned
Colorado Carbon Fund
The Colorado Carbon Fund provides high quality carbon offsets to consumers as a way to support new energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our state.
Residential Wind Power Options
Why purchase wind power? (See our Wind Power FAQ)
- Wind power is clean and renewable, does not produce greenhouse gases, and is an infinite resource
- Each block of 100kWh of wind you purchase avoids the need to produce the equivalent amount of electricity from coal
- The purchase of wind power supports necessary market transformation to the New Energy Economy
- Purchase of wind power from Xcel Energy exempts you from paying the city's Climate Action Plan tax
- Renewable energy purchases in the city of Boulder reduce the number of tons of carbon dioxide counted in the city's annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory
The typical Colorado home uses 625 kWh of electricity per month. You choose how much of your power you want supplied by wind by selecting a number of 100 kWh blocks or by choosing to offset 100% of your electricity use. Check your Xcel bill to see how many kWh hours per month your home uses to determine how to determine your monthly wind power investment. Each of the programs listed below is third party verified and monitored with the "green-e" certification.
Since 1997, Xcel Energy's Windsource® program has provided residential and business customers with an option to purchase clean renewable energy from Colorado wind farms. Windsource is the largest green energy program in the United States. Rates vary quarterly based on seasonal fuel cost credits. Call 800-895-4999 or click here for pricing and registration information.
Longmont Power & Communications, Longmont's community-owned electric provider, has offered renewable energy since 1999 as a way everyone in Longmont can work together to enhance our environment. You can join other supporters of clean energy and subscribe to Longmont Power & Communications' renewable energy by visiting our web site at www.ci.longmont.co.us/lpc or call 303-651-8386.
Founded in 1999, Community Energy is one of the nation's leading suppliers of renewable energy. We are part of the world's largest wind energy developer with offices in Boulder, CO. Community Energy offers NewWind Energy® from wind farms nationwide. www.NewWindEnergy.com or call 1-866-WIND-123.
NativeEnergy, with offices in Boulder and Denver, offers Green-e certified CoolWatts™ new wind energy credits, and CO2 offsets services that drive construction of Native American, farmer and community-owned renewable energy projects. Call for services and prices. www.NativeEnergy.com or call 800-924-6826.
Based in Boulder, Renewable Choice Energy is a leading provider of renewable energy to organizations and individuals around the country. The company's goal is to provide opportunities to help move our society towards a more sustainable future. Go to www.RenewableChoice.com or call 877-810-8670.