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01/10/2023 - 09:42 AM
Title 2022: Year in Review /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2023_NL_YearReview.jpg?itok=LoDJwM_l Tuesday | January 10, 2023 Card Teaser United Power is working tirelessly to position the cooperative for future success, using our experience and expertise to prepare for emerging trends and industry changes. United Power’s definition of a banner year is one in which we find new ways to better serve our members and our communities. We are working tirelessly to position the cooperative for future success, using our experience and expertise to prepare for emerging trends and industry changes. We developed Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap) as an evolving action plan to guide our decisions in the coming years, and we took the first steps toward executing the plan last year. Behind the scenes, we were also working to improve our system’s resiliency and efficiency so members can have even greater peace of mind knowing they will continue to receive reliable power. In 2022, we also introduced new member programs, welcomed back members for our first in-person annual meeting since 2019, and went above and beyond in supporting our local nonprofits. Seeking More Flexible, Affordable, Sustainable Power As an electric distribution cooperative, United Power does not generate its own power. The cooperative must instead purchase wholesale power from a generation supplier. For many years, United Power has purchased 95% of its wholesale power from one source. As clean energy technologies advance and the cost to maintain coal-fired power plants increases, United Power has sought ways to seek more affordable, flexible, and sustainable power from its wholesale provider. The cooperative even worked toward modifying the terms of the current contract, which limits United Power’s ability to source more than 5% as locally-generated, more affordable energy. Unable to come to an agreement with its current power provider, United Power filed its notice of intent to withdraw, effective May 1, 2024. “Unfortunately, our power supplier has been ignoring our efforts to come to an amicable arrangement that better supports the needs of our members,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Instead of working with us in the pursuit of lower-cost, cleaner options, our power supplier has resisted these developments.” This pending change in power suppliers does not affect your membership with United Power. There will be no change in the quality of our service, the reliability of your power, or our commitment to our members. We encourage you to read more about the upcoming transition on our Power Supply page. . Improving System Reliability Speaking of reliability, United Power has consistently reported some of the best performance numbers for electric utilities across the country. This is due in part to a targeted maintenance practice that focuses on analyzing data to isolate the worst performing segments on the electric delivery system. Strategically placed smart devices collect critical information and transfer it back to system operators. Once identified, maintenance projects can be targeted to improve these segments. The national average for outage duration hovers around 120 minutes per meter, meaning a person can expect to experience an aggregate of approximately two hours of outage time at their home over the course of a year. Since instituting the new maintenance practice in 2017, United Power’s outage times have dropped below 70 minutes per meter. The cooperative also continues to enhance its wildfire mitigation plan. This year, Red Flag Warning procedures were added to the plan to better protect our communities and improve system reliability. We will continue to apply the highest safety standards and implement industry best practices for the ongoing safety and protection of our members and communities. Smart Summer Rewards United Power’s newest program rewards members for helping the cooperative avoid demand spikes on hot summer days. Enrolling in Smart Rewards will allow the cooperative to automatically adjust your thermostat on days when peak power surges. The slight adjustment to your thermostat may result in a modest savings on your monthly bills, and you will also receive a $25 bill credit for every summer you remain enrolled. Read more about the Smart Rewards program. Expanding Access to EVs Electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for nearly 10% of all new car sales in Colorado in 2022. United Power expanded its catalog of available programs this past year for members who own or have interest in purchasing an EV. The cooperative’s first EV investment was its fast charger at the Coal Creek office. The network expanded to three with the Market Street Mart charger in Keenesburg in 2021 and the United Power office location in Carbon Valley in 2022. The newest addition to this network filled a 30-mile gap in available charging options between Thornton and Loveland. The majority of EV owners, however, charge their vehicles at home using upgraded electrical outlets. United Power debuted both its new EV wiring rebate and United EV pilot program this past year. All members qualify for the cooperative’s wiring rebate, but members who enroll in United EV receive additional rebate dollars, at-home charging equipment, and a menu of rates and options for smart charging. More information about United Power’s EV programs. Getting Back to In-Person Health and safety precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic prevented United Power from gathering with our members for more than two years. We were finally able to welcome members back to an in-person Annual Meeting in 2022. Additionally, fairs and festivals resumed this summer, giving us a chance to connect with members in the communities they call home. We were also able to send local high school students on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., where our youth delegate was nominated among her peers to represent Colorado on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Leadership Council.01/02/2024 - 12:50 PM
2023 Member Choice Grants Friday | December 22, 2023 Members Select Nonprofits to Receive $12,000 Read more >01/11/2024 - 09:04 AM
Title 2023: Year in Review /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2023_Year.jpg?h=45932144&itok=rnQcTLEp Thursday | January 11, 2024 Card Teaser United Power had a stellar year including new power contracts, eclipsing a milestone in residential rooftop solar, and launching a website refresh. United Power was focused on securing new power contracts this past year with the flexibility to meet its growing demand in advance of the upcoming exit from its current wholesale power provider — effective May 1, 2024. The cooperative’s leadership recognized the opportunity to stabilize rising wholesale power costs and ease its financial burden when it announced the exit in 2022 and began requesting power supply proposals from regional and national generators. In keeping with its established reputation as a forward-thinking, innovative electric utility, the co-op is partnering with nationally recognized industry leaders to reduce its carbon intensity through a carefully curated mix of generation resources, including natural gas and renewable options, and developing groundbreaking demand response systems that will cut costs when energy is most expensive. United Power had a stellar year in addition to the new power contracts, which included eclipsing a new milestone in residential rooftop solar installations. The coooperative also launched a website refresh with enhanced focus on member engagement and data-driven navigation updates, renewed the popular Member Choice Grant program, engaged with local communities in new ways, and debuted an all-new battery pilot program for members. New Power Supply Contracts & Groundbreaking Innovation United Power has the largest load among Colorado’s electric distribution cooperatives, which means it will require a diverse group of suppliers to meet its energy needs as it continues to grow. The cooperative announced a power supply contract with Denver-based Guzman Energy in July — featuring fixed wholesale pricing and securing approximately one-third of its supply needs beginning in May 2024 — and a strategic relationship with Xcel Energy in September to explore opportunities for maximizing the value of their combined portfolios. Smaller contracts with OneEnergy and Whetstone Power will add approximately 40 megawatts (MW) of renewable resources to the co-op’s energy mix. Also announced this past year were two groundbreaking battery storage agreements with Ameresco and Whetstone Power. The cooperative will strategically install more than 100 MW of battery storage at substations located throughout its service territory to increase system resiliency and reliability, balance load, reduce costs, and more efficiently incorporate local renewables. “The use of batteries on our distribution network is essential to a resilient and responsive power system and we are excited to move ahead with one of the most aggressive plans for such a system,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and CEO. Read more about United Power’s power supply. Rooftop Solar Milestone More United Power members are opting to generate power locally than ever before. Rooftop solar has quickly become the preferred solution for members who are looking to offset their energy usage with renewable options. The cooperative has a residential solar penetration of nearly 11%, which ranks among the highest representations for electric utilities of all sizes and more than double the national average. Last year, United Power became one of the first cooperatives to surpass 10,000 residential solar installations. Members have added nearly 6,500 rooftop solar systems to their homes since early 2020, more than doubling the total number of systems interconnected to the United Power grid. The combined generation potential of these systems is nearly 70 MW. United Power is proud to support a robust solar community, and is committed to providing a member-friendly connection process, which has been recognized by the Colorado Solar and Storage Association. United Power also debuted an all-new member program for those interested in pairing their solar system with battery storage. Members interested in learning more about the cooperative’s solar interconnection process and the new battery pilot program can find more details under the My Energy tab at www.unitedpower.com. Online Experience Improvements United Power members may have noticed a new look and feel to the website and online account portal. The cooperative launched a refreshed website design in June, focused on helping members quickly navigate to their desired location in fewer clicks and finding information faster. United Power also rolled out an update for its online account portal, SmartHub, to improve functionality and enhance user experience. Members may sign up for a free account at www.unitedpower.com/smarthub. Giving Back to the Community Concern for communities is a cooperative principle United Power values and takes seriously. That is why the cooperative renewed its Member Choice Grant program for a third year and distributed $12,000 to nonprofits nominated by its members. For updates about grants and 2024 nominations, visit Member Choice. Additionally, the cooperative identified new ways to interact with its members and support local athletics and education through a Friday Night Lights check presentation in Brighton and honoring a lineman in Carbon Valley during the fall football season. United Power is looking forward to celebrating its 85th anniversary and the change in power suppliers this year. Join us as we recognize how the cooperative has championed community growth, helped spur economic development, supported community engagement, and will continue being more than just your local electric utility now and into the future. Just as we have since 1938, United Power will continue to be “Here for Good” in the communities we serve.11/26/2024 - 12:53 PM
Title 2024 Member Choice Grants /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Hands_Heart_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=RpWwbzVw Friday | November 29, 2024 Card Teaser Members select nonprofits to receive cooperative grants. Members Select Nonprofits to Receive Cooperative Grants Adams County Food Bank The Adams County Food Bank helps relieve food insecurity among families, seniors, and children in Commerce City, Thornton, Westminster, and across 34 zip codes throughout the county. It is the largest organization in Adams County working to alleviate hunger. Crescent Park Community Fire Protection Association The association’s mission is to protect people, properties, animals, and the environment from wildfires through outreach, education, and fire mitigation, and creating defensible space and emergency evacuation plans. Community Uplift Partnership (CUP) Young adults are some of the most vibrant people in our communities. Community Uplift Partnership (CUP) reminds them they have value beyond a paycheck, strengthens them to conquer barriers to employment opportunities that provide sustainable wages, and equips them to make better decisions for their futures. Happiness Through Horses Happiness Through Horses enriches the lives of individuals of all ages, with a special emphasis on youth, through meaningful interactions with horses and sanctuary animals. They offer programs promoting mental health, personal growth, and educational development. Sparkling Kindness Sparkling Kindness is a small nonprofit operating out of Commerce City. It provides support to the local community by distributing basic hygiene kits, feminine hygiene kits, and “comfort” kits (consisting of fleece blankets, socks, stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, and chapstick). Stand & Fight Stand & Fight seeks to encourage children enduring life-threatening illnesses by awakening their warrior within. They take a stand for dignity and positivity during medical treatment while recognizing the courage needed to fight. Stand & Fight offers recognition as well as port and picc-line adaptive apparel, in addition to other items.01/24/2025 - 03:34 PM
Title 2024: Year in Review /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Year2025_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=NlPVheJE Friday | January 24, 2025 Card Teaser Wholesale power contract exit and 85th anniversary celebration highlight co-op’s year. 85th Anniversary and Wholesale Power Contract Exit Highlight Co-op’s Year United Power celebrated its 85th year of serving members along Colorado’s northern Front Range and the cooperative’s successful transition to an independent electric utility in 2024. The two historic milestones represented significant achievements for the cooperative, which has grown from its roots as a small rural utility serving a few hundred members on large farmlands to one of the fastest growing cooperatives in the country. Rapid residential growth and economic development throughout United Power’s service territory, along with rising wholesale power costs and limitations under its former power contract, required the cooperative to pursue more flexible and affordable power agreements to facilitate an anticipated surge in demand over the coming decade and beyond. Independence provides the freedom and flexibility necessary to meet these needs effectively and in the most financially beneficial way for the cooperative’s members. Leadership is constantly surveying the horizon and proactively preparing for future shifts in the industry to assure its members that United Power is and will always be Here for Good. What is Here for Good? United Power has deployed groundbreaking innovation to manage peak power costs while curating an industry-leading power portfolio designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand generation resources close to home. The cooperative’s efforts prepare it for growing demand on its grid. Being Here for Good means taking coordinated steps to build a resilient system that provides safe and reliable power. It also means United Power will continue to be your electric provider now and into the future. Delivering uninterrupted power is the core of an electric utility. But being Here for Good means more to a cooperative. It also means supporting and empowering the communities it serves. United Power advocates for the educational goals of its local students, partners with local nonprofits, and even extends its support beyond the service territory to assist disadvantaged communities. It is just some of the many ways the cooperative remains Here for Good. Innovating Power Supply on the Distribution System United Power has long been an industry leader for innovative generation on its distribution system. New power supply agreements and strategic partnerships announced ahead of the co-op’s wholesale power contract exit last year gave members confidence it would continue delivering excellence in reliability and resiliency. Thanks to long-term planning and forecasting, the co-op secured a diverse generation mix of traditional energy assets, greenhouse gas reducing generation, and innovative projects to meet its members’ needs as the co-op grows. The cooperative’s efforts to seek cleaner and more flexible power options were recognized in September when it was selected as a finalist to receive funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. United Power is eligible to receive up to $261 million to offset 25% of the cost of seven power purchase agreements for renewable energy resources that will provide 760 MW to members by 2030. Throughout the year, United Power also received grants to assist in the completion of two local microgrid projects. The Department of Energy awarded the cooperative up to $6.1 million toward a floating solar system connected to a battery storage system in Fort Lupton to power the city’s water treatment plant, replacing an aged diesel generator with clean and renewable energy. Another project to install a series of mini microgrid systems at rural fire protection facilities in Coal Creek, Dacono, Frederick, and Lochbuie received $700,000 from Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs. Construction on one of United Power’s newest innovative energy project was completed in July. The multi-location battery energy storage system (BESS) was announced in 2023 in partnership with Ameresco. The peak-mitigating asset charges when energy costs are low and discharges when costs are high, which not only reduces the cooperative’s energy demand but also helps manage wholesale energy costs. It is the largest BESS asset in Ameresco’s portfolio. A similar project in partnership with Whetstone Power was completed in December. Together, the batteries provide more than 110 MW of energy storage across nine locations throughout the cooperative’s service territory. Another resource that will be available soon is the Mountain Peak Power Plant in Keenesburg, which broke ground in September. The peaking unit is being built in partnership with Kindle Energy to add 162 MW of natural gas capacity to the system. The plant is located directly adjacent to a natural gas line, making the construction more economical. It also ensures greater flexibility when power costs are high and resource adequacy when renewable energy generation is low or in extreme weather conditions. United Power also has additional projects under construction and expected to come online soon, including a 150 MW solar farm power purchase agreement with NextEra. Watch the co-op’s website for more updates about innovative projects and partnerships. Participating in Local Communities United Power is frequently visible around the community, most often due to the cooperative’s ongoing support for local fairs and festivals. However, being Here for Good extends to other ways it supports the local community and its members. The cooperative has annually awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities, but keeping the lights on is difficult work that requires highly skilled and trained professional lineworkers. Our crews receive years of on-the-job training following graduation from a line school program. That is why the cooperative introduced a new scholarship program to advance the profession. Four $7,500 scholarships were awarded in December. Member Choice Grants allow members to nominate local nonprofits to receive funds that enable them to continue serving their communities and achieving their mission. The program was renewed for a fifth year, and six $2,000 grants were awarded based on nominations submitted in 2024. Employees also gave back to local nonprofits in recognition of National Co-op Month in October. More than 80 employees volunteered for eight service projects located at nonprofits located throughout the service territory. Their participation was a visible demonstration of the co-op’s core principle of concern for the community, and a reminder that a spirit of service is important for thriving communities. Occasionally, United Power’s support extends beyond its borders to help meet the needs of families in disadvantaged areas. This past year, lineworkers were dispatched to the Navajo Nation to provide power to those families for the first time. The cooperative provided additional supplies and equipment for projects in July and again in October. As United Power looks ahead to its next 85 years, we want to remind members that the cooperative is Here for Good. That looks like planning for your future power needs and helping each of the communities we serve reach their full potential through our continued support for their vision. Your cooperative is Here for Good.11/06/2024 - 01:09 PM
Title 2025 Rebate Changes /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Rebate_Deadline.jpg?h=45932144&itok=YL5hxaKz Wednesday | November 6, 2024 Card Teaser Smart thermostat rebate expiring and adjustment to EV make-ready wiring rebate. Smart Thermostat Rebate Expiring and Adjustment to EV Make-Ready Wiring Rebate United Power members qualify for exclusive rebates on the purchase and set-up of beneficial electrification items and projects. Each year, the cooperative evaluates its rebate program and may recommend changes based on the benefit to the cooperative and its members. Most of the cooperative’s rebates will remain the same in the upcoming year, including the home efficiency and outdoor power rebates. However, a couple rebates will be discontinued or adjusted after Dec. 31, 2024. Smart Thermostat Rebates and Smart Rewards Benefits Smart Rewards is a program that allows United Power to shift energy use during peak hours and saves the cooperative on expensive power purchases. Those savings are then passed on to the member. Enrollment in United Power’s Smart Rewards program is required to qualify for the smart thermostat rebate. Although the rebate will be discontinued for smart thermostats purchased in 2025, members may still participate in the Smart Rewards program and receive a $30 incentive, up from $25 in 2024, for each summer they are enrolled with a qualifying smart thermostat. Members who enroll in Smart Rewards and purchase a qualifying smart thermostat before Dec. 31, 2024 will still be able to submit a rebate application. EV Make-Ready Wiring and United EV United Power members who are planning to install wiring for at-home electric vehicle (EV) charging qualify for rebates on installations completed through Dec. 31, 2024. Members who enroll in the cooperative’s United EV program will still qualify for make-ready wiring rebates in 2025. United EV helps members with the up-front costs of home charging, including a ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger, wiring rebates, and rates for smart charging. The program is available for a $19/month service charge. Rebate applications must be received within 90 days of purchase or installation. Rebate applications must be received within 90 days of purchase or installation.01/23/2019 - 03:28 PM
Title 3,000th Rooftop Solar Connection /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Oct2018_NL_Solar_0.png?itok=ytgQaHME Thursday | November 1, 2018 Card Teaser In October, United Power connected its 3,000th member-owned rooftop solar installation, celebrating a significant milestone for the cooperative. In October, United Power connected its 3,000th member-owned rooftop solar installation, celebrating a significant milestone for the cooperative. United Power has seen rapid growth and adoption of solar power as a renewable energy option among its members over the past few years. According to the 2017 Smart Electric Power Association (SEPA), only Xcel Energy ranks higher in connected solar among electric utilities in Colorado. United Power also ranked 5th among cooperatives nationally for connected solar. Member-owned solar connections account for more than 3 percent of United Power’s total meters, and produce almost 30 million kWhs of energy annually. Since powering Sol Partners, Colorado’s first community solar farm, in 2009, United Power has been at the forefront of adopting solar energy projects that both reduce carbon emissions and make economic sense. Today, the cooperative has four utility-scale solar farms powering our members. These systems provide local solar energy system-wide, purchased at a predictable cost – providing an environmental benefit and adding some rate stability for members.01/22/2019 - 01:55 PM
Title A Bird's Eye View /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/June2018_NL_Drone.png?itok=5R4L3l2P Friday | June 1, 2018 Card Teaser In 2016, United Power recognized it needed to brainstorm new ways to inspect its infrastructure in a quicker, safer and more efficient manner. Drones were a cheap and effective solution. When the drone (unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs) craze took off nearly a decade ago, it was impossible for experts to predict how rapidly impactful the revolutionary technology would become. As sales began to dwarf estimates, professional drone pilots found new and innovative ways to utilize the technology economically, often as a safe and cost-effective alternative to manned aerial operations or underground imaging. In 2016, United Power recognized it needed to brainstorm new ways to inspect its infrastructure in a quicker, safer and more efficient manner. On a daily basis, electrical poles and cross arms are exposed to various weather conditions, which can cause accelerated decay over time. United Power’s linemen put their lives on the line to regularly ensure lines and poles delivering power to families around the service territory are in the best shape. Even in the best conditions, however, the effort necessary to inspect thousands of poles across thousands of miles of line is immense, if not impossible. The idea to incorporate drone technology was first suggested by Mike Robinson, a Safety Specialist with the cooperative, who had been an early adopter of using drones during inspection. United Power partnered with Colorado Aerial Imaging, a veteran-owned drone maintenance business with experience in electric line inspection, and began a trial implementation in the Mountain Territory. Mountain Territory Coal Creek is a 215-square mile noncontiguous parcel of land served by United Power. Extending from Golden to the Continental Divide, the Mountain Territory is sparsely populated, requiring lots of line carrying a higher voltage. The higher voltage lines, rugged terrain and severe weather made the Mountain Territory an easy place to begin initial implementation for the drone maintenance program. With poles perched on cliff sides, in dense forests and at high elevations, inspection is a risky endeavor for linemen in Coal Creek. The time-consuming process also takes a backseat to restoring power during an outage, which can be exacerbated during storms and winter weather. UAVs provide quicker access to hard to reach poles and limit exposure to risk. “The process of identifying and correcting an issue on a pole in a place like Coal Creek can require multiple hours to complete,” said Chief Operating Officer Bryant Robbins. “If another problem occurs during inspection, the linemen have no choice but to abandon it and return to it later.” For linemen in Coal Creek, hiking in and out of an area multiple times to repair poles is not uncommon, but the task is no less daunting in United Power’s larger Plains Territory. Plains Territory Colorado Aerial Imaging recently completed its first phase in the Plains Territory near Brighton, with two more phases scheduled for the upcoming months. While the service territory is more favorable for weather and terrain, it still comes with challenges. “We try to remain respectful of people’s concerns about privacy and security,” said Don McDaniel, Engineering Director for United Power. “It’s more densely populated, and more of our poles are located on or near private property.” Since drones eliminate the need for linemen to approach poles during inspection, there’s limited impact to members — no property intrusion or interrupted service — and a sense of respect for their privacy. Though linemen on the plains don’t have to hike to and from poles through dense foliage and up steep inclines, the time necessary to inspect poles would be exorbitant. Crews rarely have the ability to devote large parts of their day to inspection across the service territory. “We serve some of the fastest growing areas in the Northern Front Range,” said McDaniel. “We have a lot of requests for new service from residential communities and businesses moving in, and not enough linemen to dedicate solely to inspecting poles, as much as we’d like to be able to.” Other Benefits “While examining and analyzing pole damages for an area in Coal Creek, we noticed rot along the top of a cross arm,” said Greg Bergin, co-owner of Colorado Aerial Imaging. “From where we were standing, the pole looked to be in fairly healthy condition.” Because drones are not limited to the area around the pole, they are able to capture images from angles linemen wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. “Without physically climbing the pole and inspecting every part of it for damage, we wouldn’t have noticed this damage without the use of drones,” said lineman Adam Dillion. “Some poles may look fine, even from our best vantage points, but the pictures from above tell another story.” Aerial images obtained from drones are visual, thermal and geotagged, providing a broader, wider and higher view of each pole and piece of equipment. There’s an inherent redundancy built into the program to ensure accurate inspections. “Before we ever send out a crew, we are able to determine what tools and materials we’ll need, how many men are required and whether we’ll need to be on someone’s property,” said Dillon. To date, Colorado Aerial Imaging has inspected more than 30 miles of line and nearly 800 poles. “What may take a line crew more than a day to complete a drone is able to do in less than an hour,” Robbins said. “Our drone program has been a cost-effective way to stay proactive, instead of reactive, to the potential for outages on our lines. The amount of time and risk this program has saved us, and will continue to save us, is incalculable.”12/04/2020 - 03:44 PM
Title A Few Things to be Aware of when Considering Rooftop Solar /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2020_NL_RooftopSolar.jpg?itok=P1HUaXoN Friday | December 4, 2020 Card Teaser Several members have contacted us with questions about some things they are being told by door-to-door solar salespeople. We’d like to take this opportunity to dispel some common myths regarding rooftop solar: United Power has a long history of supporting our rooftop solar members. The cooperative has been nationally recognized for the amount of interconnected solar on its system, and recently surpassed 5,000 rooftop solar connections. That being said, several members have contacted us with questions about some things they are being told by door-to-door solar salespeople. We’d like to take this opportunity to dispel some common myths regarding rooftop solar: Myth #1: Colorado State Law requires me to install solar on my roof. This is not true. The state recently passed legislation that requires homebuilders to offer rooftop solar options or make-ready wiring for solar on newly constructed homes, but this does not apply to existing households. Myth #2: United Power contracts solar installers to offer rooftop solar. United Power does not have any contracts to work with rooftop solar installers. If a solar sales representative claims to be working with or on behalf of the cooperative, that should be a red flag. Members are free to work with any solar vendor they choose, and United Power will let you interconnect with our system. Learn more about our interconnection agreement and other helpful tips before considering solar at www.unitedpower.com/going-solar. Myth #3: By installing rooftop solar, you will no longer receive a United Power bill or will save against future electric rate increases. You will still receive a bill for the electricity you consume when the sun isn’t shining and your home is utilizing services from the grid. United Power is actively working to reduce electric rates for all our members, so long term financing forecasts from solar salespeople with future rate increases from United Power may be misleading. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a United Power energy advisor, please contact us at 303-637-1300. We also have several online resources available for members considering rooftop solar on our website at www.unitedpower.com. You can even view and download meter data on your electric usage through our Power Portal for a more in-depth analysis. You can learn about United Power’s investments in solar for all our members at www.unitedpower.com/innovating-energy.05/30/2018 - 03:33 PM
A New Look for Our Trucks Wednesday | February 14, 2018 While you’re out and about you may soon notice a new look on United Power’s trucks. Read more >03/15/2018 - 01:45 PM
A New Look for Our Trucks Wednesday | February 14, 2018 While you’re out and about you may soon notice a new look on United Power’s trucks. Read more >01/25/2019 - 01:21 PM
A New Name: Union REA Becomes United Power Friday | January 25, 2019 This is the second in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April. Read more >