The Governor’s Energy Office announced that Poudre Valley REA is the winner of the 2009 Governor’s Excellence in Renewable Energy Award for utilities. The award honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through the promotion, usage, implementation and technology development of renewable energy in Colorado.

The accomplishments cited in making the award to PVREA were:
• 10 new grid-tied residential photovoltaic system installations with matching rebates from the Governor’s Energy Office. Systems were 3.0 to 6.3 kilowatt for a total new connected PV generation output of 43.3 KW.

• Four photovoltaic grid-tied system installations without rebate support. Systems ranged from 1.4 to 6.0 kW for a total of 14.4 kW.

• Six wind system installations ranging from 2.4 to 7.2 kW for a total of 19.2 kW.

• The promotion of wind power through the co-op’s renewable energy “Green Power” program. PVREA had 275 residential and 14 commercial customers sign up for this program that offers 100 kilowatt-hour blocks for 50 cents per block. This program supported about 1.2 million kWh of renewable wind power production per month in 2009.

• The installation of monitoring equipment at its headquarters 2.1 kW PV system, with the help of SolSource Energy Solutions. The output and production data from the system is now displayed in the lobby on wall monitors and is available on line for educational purposes.

• The partnering with StEPP Foundation, Center for Resource Conservation, Namaste Solar and the St. Vrain Valley School District to install a 25 kW PV system at the Lyons High School and to support a renewable energy curriculum.

Poudre Valley REA, headquartered outside of Fort Collins, 36,000 meter electric co-op serving members in Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties.