September 16, 2011

Fort Morgan, CO adds net metering to their list of attractions

Let’s all welcome Fort Morgan, Colorado, as the newest net metering muni on the block. A state law enacted in 2008 requires municipal utilities, such as Fort Morgan’s, to start allowing its customers to engage in net metering. But “there really hadn’t been those needs in Fort Morgan” before, Municipal Engineer Brad Curtis told The…

Let’s all welcome Fort Morgan, Colorado, as the newest net metering muni on the block. A state law enacted in 2008 requires municipal utilities, such as Fort Morgan’s, to start allowing its customers to engage in net metering. But “there really hadn’t been those needs in Fort Morgan” before, Municipal Engineer Brad Curtis told The Fort Morgan Times.

Now, there are at least two city power customers using net metering and three Fort Morgan buildings taking advantage of renewable-energy systems.

These include solar panels at one residence and Morgan Community College, which are both net metered, and the geo-thermal system at the new Salud Family Health Center.

“If you buy some solar panels and want to install them, come to the city. We have an application for net metering,” Light & Power Superintendent Doug Linton said.

Curtis pointed out that building permits similar to those for plumbing or structural work would also be necessary for installation of such projects.

And that application and those permits are very important, Curtis and Linton stressed, because that’s how the customers, their contractors and the city utility communicate and make everything work together.

Source: Fort Morgan Times