Main Points:
Utilizing the UODS model, Fort Collins Utilities might be able to add enough solar to large roofs in town (think schools) to power 24,000 homes in Fort Collins.
This investment might bring $100,000 per month to the local economy.
City Council needs to hear from us to make this a priority.
What is Utility Owned Distributes Solar (UODS)
In 2017 Fort Collins Utilities (FCU) agreed to study a solar business model known as Utility Owned Distributed Solar (UODS). FCU would lease large roofs and parking lots to install their own solar panels. The property owner (school, church, commercial/industrial space) would get a rent check, and FCU would get the electricity to power our town. UODS might be able to power roughly 24,000 homes, and reinvest over $100,000 per month in the local economy.
For examples:
A high school could earn thousands of dollars per month—enough to pay a teacher’s salary—by leasing its roof to FCU.
FCU might lease a commercial parking lot for 25 years and build solar canopies. Then the owner could pass along lower rents to tenants.
A church or other non-profit could raise thousands of dollars per year by leasing its roof or parking lot to FCU.
So, who pays for the solar panels? FCU’s electric revenue is projected to average 15.3 cents/kWh over the life of the solar project (2023-2058). The complete cost of UODS might average 10.7 cents/kWh. That leaves 4.6 cents/kWh to pay the rent to the school, or church, or local business. For a high school-sized roof that works out to over $53,000 per year.
CforSE has urged City Council and FCU for four years now to complete a study of UODS. Both agreed to study the model in 2017, but they have yet to produce a quality study. If the City gets crackin on this then we can present it to the Poudre School Board to be implemented in 2023 or 2024, but first we need a study to present to them.
Please email City Council and ask them to…
Hire an independent firm to complete the study of Utility Owned Distributed Solar and to decide based on that study if this model works for Fort Collins.
IF YOU LIVE IN THIS PART OF TOWN... COUNCILPERSON IS...
East of College, North of Drake Susan Gutowsky - sgutowsky@fcgov.com
East of College between Drake and Harmony Julie Pignataro - jpignataro@fcgov.com
East of College, South of Harmony Tricia Canocino - tcanocino@fcgov.com
West of College, South of South of Horsetooth. Shirley Peel - speel@fcgov.com
West of College between Horsetooth and Prospect Kelly Ohlson - kohlson@fcgov.com
West of College, North of Prospect Emily Francis - efrancis@fcgov.com
If you are unsure of who your councilperson is then you can email Mayor Jeni Arndt - jarndt@fcgov.com
Thank you!