Bookmark and Share Print

Renewable Energy

 

 Increasing the use of renewable energy in Boulder is one of the main strategies to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals of the Climate Action Plan. Once maximum energy conservation and efficiency are achieved, renewable energy is the next logical step towards carbon neutrality. There are various ways and levels that residents can invest in renewable energy from purchasing wind power for your home or business to an on-site generating system such as solar panels producing energy or hot water.

  

Wind Power and Renewable Energy
Credits


Xcel Energy's Windsource program 
  • In this program, you pay a small fee in addition to your normal energy bill
  • Energy you use will be generated by renewable sourcesabout the solar rebate
  • You also become exempt from paying fuel cost and air quality improvement charges

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Green Tags
  • RECs “represent the environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resources.” [1]
  • Renewable energy is fed into the grid and displaces dirtier forms of electricity
  • RECs are purchased in kWh blocks, but can also be sold according to their emissions value
  • For additional information visit Western Resource Advocates informational page on Green Power


Solar Energy


Solar sales tax rebate 
  • There are federal tax credits  in place for both PV and solar thermal (hot water) systems
  • The city of Boulder provides a partial sales and use tax rebate  on qualified photovoltaic or solar thermal systems installed within the city of Boulder.
  • The other portion of the rebate is dedicated to a renewable energy grant fund to install solar systems on affordable housing or site-based non-profits.
  • Learn  about the Boulder Wastewater Treatment Plan Solar Power Project!

 

Renewable energy or "green power" refers to energy produced from sources that are renewable and environmentally preferable. Examples of green power include electricity produced from the sun, wind, moving water, organic plant and waste material, and heat from the earth (geothermal). Sustainable or renewable sources naturally replenish themselves over short periods of time. Environmentally-preferable sources generate less pollution and waste products than conventional fossil fuels.

Why use renewable energy?

Renewable energy:

  • reduces air pollution compared to using fossil fuels
  • can be harvested domestically, if not locally
  • uses less water than fossil fuel power plants
  • emits few or no climate-changing, greenhouse gases
  • is not subject to the same price volatility as the fossil fuel market
  • can stimulate local economies
  • doesn't involve mining the earth & transporting raw materials
  • is the wave of the future here today!

Last Updated on Monday, 17 August 2009 08:57

Clicking any flag icon above calls Google translation service to translate the page to the language you have chosen. Graphics containing text, PDF files, and special applications on this page cannot be translated. As with any computer translation, conversion is not context-sensitive and may not convert text into its intended meaning. The city of Boulder does not guarantee the accuracy of translated text. If the information you are seeking is not clear please return to the main page for the specific city department and contact them directly. Please note that some applications and/or services may not work as expected when translated.

Plugins needed for this Web site: [ Adobe Reader ] [ Flash Player ] [ Quicktime ] [ Real Player ]