CPS Energy gets 1,200 applications for its rooftop solar program in first 48 hours

Dive Brief:

CPS Energy saw strong response to an innovative solar program launched a week ago, with more than 1,200 applications submitted in the first 48 hours.
The utility's SolarHost project allows customers to host solar panels on their rooftops at no cost, in exchange for credits on their utility bill that amount to about 3 cents/kWh for energy generated.
CPS selected PowerFin as its partner on the program, to install and operate 10 MW of panels split equally between residential and commercial customers.

Dive Insight:

The first week response to the SolarHost program was the strongest for any initiative the utility has ever launched, CPS told the San Antonio Express-News, highlighting customers' interest in both the cost of solar and in lowering their bills.

The utility launched the SolarHost program Sept. 2, and in the first two days received about 1,200 applications from customers interested in the credit — worth about 3 cents/kWh generated by the panels.

The innovative project "makes solar available to a much larger cross-section of our community by removing the upfront cost for the customer and in fact creating an income stream for them,” Executive Vice President Cris Eugster said in a statement. Applicants will initially be screened using satellite imagery to see if their home is suitable, followed by an on-site visit.

"We are excited to provide affordable and reliable on-site electricity to CPS Energy’s customers through this innovative program,” said PowerFin Vice President of Development Jason Pittman. “PowerFin is coordinating with CPS Energy and the local solar installer community to seamlessly integrate this new solar option into the existing grid.”

Bill credits will be awarded for a 20-year period; PowerFin will pay all costs for installation and maintenance.

The SolarHost program will run alongside CPS Energy and Clean Energy Collective’s Roofless Community Solar program, which was announced in July. Under that program, CEC will develop a 1.2 MW solar PV facility, providing CPS customers the ability to own clean energy generation through CEC’s Roofless Solar program.