Following in Xcel Energy's footsteps, Black Hills Energy is reducing the solar rebate for small category systems in Colorado (less than 10kW). The rebate will drop from $3.50 per watt down to $2.70 per watt, a reduction of 23%.

This $0.80 per watt reduction in the Black Hills Energy solar rebate will be effective at Midnight tonight (January 15th).

The Black Hills Energy solar rebate, like Xcel Energy, is a combination of a rebate payment and a renewable energy credit (REC) payment. The REC payment of the small category incentive (currently at $1.50 per watt) will decrease to $0.70 per watt, the rebate payment ($2 per watt) is fixed and thus will remain unchanged.

Xcel Energy has initiated similar reductions to their solar rewards rebates over the past several months. Xcel released a new tiered rebate system to inform solar integrators and customers exactly when and how their solar rebate would change in the future. The California Solar Initiative (CSI) has a similar method of distributing rebates.

If you are a Black Hills Energy customer in Colorado, please contact us today if you are interested in solar for your home or business.

The following is an excerpt from The Woodmen Edition newspaper in Colorado Springs.

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Here comes the sun. And for the Leitz family, here comes lower electricity bills, a way to help Colorado Springs' energy needs and a method to make a positive impact on the environment.

In early Nov., the Leitz's, through a company called Astralux Power Systems, installed 36 panels on their roof hoping to glean enough sunlight to keep their house's electricity totally powered during daylight hours.

Mr. Butch Leitz said he worked with Astralux because their design helped the panels blend in with the rest of the home...Leitz said the connection between the panels and the city provided electricity proved seamless and he's yet to see any problems.

"It's really a no-brainer when it comes to solar energy. It's a simple concept" he said. "The environment is only getting worse; there's no reason not to invest right now."

[Source: The Woodmen Edition, Maren Sorensen]

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We commend the Leitz family on their new system and front page story in the Woodmen Paper! They are setting an example for others in Colorado Springs (and beyond) to follow.