Utility Using Rooftops to Generate Electricity

The nation’s most solarized electric utility is expanding its photovoltaic generation capacity—on the roofs of its customers. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has just announced an expansion of its “PV Pioneers” program. Under the program, environmentally committed SMUD customers pay $6 per month for the privilege of hosting a 4 kilowatt PV system, which feeds the power into the utility grid.

The new expansion calls for 134 new customers to join the existing 108 who already have systems installed. Utility spokeswoman Stephanie Winn reports that there is already a waiting list of customers hoping to participate. The utility is also installing eight 18 kilowatt systems on commercial buildings, and doubling the size of its 200 kilowatt PV station. Advances in PV technology have reduced the cost of installing PV systems by 14% since last year, according to SMUD. Nevertheless, in addition to subsidies from its customers, the utility is counting on a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help fund the program.