To answer this question right away: We don’t know.
But USPS, in its infinite wisdom, may have reasons not to do so.
Now, if you are wondering what a (Solar) Power Purchase Agreement is, you can find a short overview here.
Unlike USPS, other public institutions have come to realize the advantages of (Solar) Power Purchase Agreements. It really saddens us a tad that USPS does not seem to explore this opportunity. And it would be really nice to see some of you USPS bigwigs take a close look at what (Solar) Power Purchase Agreements can do. For your convenience we listed some examples below.
Truefully yours
Paul Stalsanity
Four public high schools will receive rooftop solar panels in the first awarding of a state Power Purchase Agreement contract.
The state Department of Education said today that Hawaii Pacific Solar will install photovoltaic systems at Kaimuki High, Aiea High, Waianae High and Kahuku High and Intermediate. Construction is expected to be completed by December.
Hawaii Pacific Solar will install the systems at no cost to the DOE. Once the systems are operational, the DOE will buy power from Hawaii Pacific Solar.
The DOE says it will save at least $1 million in energy costs over the course of the 20-year contract.
full article here
The Delaware Technical & Community College is following suit:
Although the plan estimates an average payback of four years, the College is seeking to lower the initial capital costs associated with such an aggressive goal. One way the College expects to do this is through a solar power purchasing agreement (PPA) in which the costs to install and maintain the solar panels on each campus are paid for by the provider who benefits from tax credits and income generated from the sale of electricity.
The college also hopes to contain costs with the assistance of Delaware’s Sustainable Energy Utility which is helping state agencies and non-profits retrofit their buildings through the use of energy performance contracts, an innovative program announced by Governor Jack Markell earlier this year.
full article here
Another fine example here:
NexGen erected two 100-kilowatt turbines for Upper Scioto Valley schools, which paid $35,000 in upfront costs for some of the power and an engineering fee, Assistant Superintendent Jim Bowser said. The district projects the turbines will save it about $1.7 million over 15 years on utility bills.
“Are we breaking even? You bet. And we’re making money,” Bowser said.
The district is looking at adding more turbines, a solar power system, and possibly turning biomass into energy with other corporate partners.
Having someone else build a renewable energy system and buying just the power is becoming more common for nonprofits, businesses and local governments and agencies looking to switch to wind or solar. The model makes the most sense when customers own the properties where equipment is installed, where they pay high utility rates for conventional power, and when projects can qualify for incentives or tax credits.
full article here
#1 by admin on May 20th, 2010
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Power Purchase Agreements take off while USPS keeps on snoozing………..
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……According to market research firm Gartner in a December 2009 press release (“Gartner Says U.S. Solar PPA Industry Growth Will Create New IT Revenue Opportunities”), “the U.S. solar power purchase agreement (PPA) market will grow to reach an estimated $8 billion in new photovoltaic (PV) solar power generation installations by 2013, up from an estimated $700 million in 2009.” …..
full article here
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The project will produce 49 megawatts (MW) of baseload power after its expected completion in two years. The entire electric output will be sold under a 30-year power purchase agreement with the Salt River Project, a municipal utility serving nearly one million people in the Phoenix, Ariz. area.
full article here
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New Drill for U.S. Military Calls for Major Commitments to Solar:
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The largest single military solar project eventually calls for five photovoltaic and concentrating solar power installations, covering a total area about the size of Manhattan, at the Army’s Fort Irwin and National Training Center in the Mojave Desert near Barstow, Calif. The initial installations would have a peak generating capacity of 500 megawatts, with the potential for up to 1,000 megawatts.
All of the solar sites are outside any habitat areas designated as critical for desert tortoises and all of the locations have been previously disturbed, according to Army documents.
Existing high-voltage transmission lines pass by the southern boundary of the vast training center and send electricity to metropolitan areas of Southern California. The cost of the solar power plants is to be borne by the private developer, which is expected to provide electricity to the base through a power-purchase agreement and sell surplus generation into the grid……
full article here
#2 by admin on May 28th, 2010
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Public Utilities flock towards Power Purchase Agreements. When will USPS follow suit?
See the latest news here