Co-op Members Double National Average in Solar Installations

Brighton, CO – On Saturday, United Power recognized Cory and Jaime Wagner of Keenesburg for connecting the utility’s 10,000th rooftop solar system. Rooftop solar has quickly become a preferred solution for electric utility customers who are looking to offset their regular energy usage with more renewable options. The growth rate for solar installations on United Power’s system has increased at a rapid pace over the last three years, placing the cooperative at the forefront in connected solar across electric utilities nationwide. 

United Power has added more than 1,000 rooftop solar installations in less than eight months and doubled the number connected to its system in the last three years. Nearly 11% of United Power’s residential members now generate power from solar systems at their homes, which is higher than both the state and regional solar penetration averages and more than double the national average. The combined generation potential of these systems is approximately 62 megawatts (MW), which represents a significant part of the cooperative’s 600 MW peak.  

“More than 5,000 residential solar systems have been connected to our grid since early 2020, demonstrating our members’ desire to make autonomous energy choices that fit their daily needs,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “We are constantly working in our communities and behind the scenes to develop programs and processes that empower member choice as the energy landscape evolves.”

United Power Board members and cooperative leadership, along with Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) President Mike Kruger, gathered Saturday to congratulate the Wagner family. United Power presented them with a prize package recognizing the achievement.

“We are really excited to be in our first home, and happy to be generating our own solar power,” said Jaime Wagner. “Being a United Power member has been great. Once we got our system installed, United Power came right out and connected it, and we are ready to watch the panels start producing.”

United Power is proud to support a robust solar community and is committed to providing a member-friendly connection process. To ensure members like the Wagners realize the most value out of their solar systems, the cooperative offers additional resources like MyGen, an online tool where members can track their system’s production alongside energy use in their Power Portal account. For more information about going solar with United Power or to answer questions about how to size a solar system and choose a contractor, members may visit www.unitedpower.com/going-solar.

“I’m excited to be here with United Power to celebrate the cooperative’s 10,000th residential solar member,” said Kruger. “It’s phenomenal how many of its members are generating solar power from their homes. United Power is beating large investor-owned utilities, municipals, and other Colorado cooperatives in interconnected solar.” 

Since powering Colorado’s first community solar farm – Sol Partners – in 2009, United Power has added five utility-scale solar farms and one of the state’s largest battery storage facilities. The solar farms generate a combined 50 MW, enough to power more than 10,000 homes. United Power’s energy portfolio also includes a 3.2 MW methane-capture project at the Erie Landfill. In recognition of these efforts, the cooperative was named one of COSSA’s 2022 Solar and Storage Champions. The cooperative continues to explore renewable and innovative energy projects with the greatest member benefits, including reliability, resiliency, and affordability.

“We appreciate the vision that the United Power community has put forth for a clean future and the ability to partner with them in that,” said Kruger. “I’m happy to celebrate today, and I think it’s a bright future for us all.”

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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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. 

Co-op Employees Raise More Than $5,000 to Support Veterans Through Allegiance Ranch

Cooperatives are driven by a spirit of service and the desire to give back to the communities that built and shaped us, the same motivating factors that inspire our military heroes. United Power is proud to celebrate veterans working in our offices, living in our communities, and throughout the country. Veterans Day allows us to take a moment to appreciate and thank our military veterans. The cooperative is honored to power those who have bravely served our country. 

Many United Power employees have felt the impact of a family member who answered the call to protect our country. Some fought in the most important conflicts in world history. Some employees have known this call firsthand from enlisting in one of our military branches themselves. The cooperative wants to recognize these employees not only for their service to the country, but also their commitment to the cooperative values and principles that drive us to serve members better every day. 

“Please join me in extending a special thank you to all United Power employees who are veterans and all our members who served our country both in peace and conflict,” said United Power President and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Gabriel. “Thank you for your patriotism, love of country, and willingness to sacrifice for the common good.”

As part of United Power’s recognition of Veterans Day in November, co-op employees led an effort to raise funds for Allegiance Ranch and Equine Rescue in Erie. Allegiance Ranch is a nonprofit that provides a safe and welcoming place for veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families. It provides services free of charge thanks to the support of community members and donors.  

Employees raised more than $5,000 for Allegiance Ranch in less than 48 hours through an online auction featuring themed baskets donated by each United Power department. Many departments and several United Power employees also donated additional items for the auction. Allegiance Ranch will use the funds to complete projects that allow them to better support veterans. To learn more about Allegiance Ranch, go to www.allegianceranch.org.

Thank you again to all our military veterans. You inspire us each day to do our best to serve our members and our communities with pride and commitment. Thank you for your service.