ComEd Announces New Way to Support Solar in Illinois
April 21 2016 - 11:55AM
Business Wire
Company proposes innovative solar rebate,
decreasing barriers and increasing access to solar power
As part of its commitment to driving the clean energy future
Illinois’ consumers want, ComEd today announced a new rebate
proposal designed to jumpstart solar in Illinois. The proposal,
which is part of a series of solar initiatives ComEd supports, will
help reduce the up-front costs of installing solar panels for both
residential and business customers. ComEd was joined in its
announcement by leaders of the Chicago Federation of Labor, the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 and Local
15, Millennium Solar, Englewood Blue, the Chatham Business
Association, and several local faith communities.
ComEd and its partners are seeking to make solar an increasingly
viable and accessible option for Illinois consumers who want to “go
green,” setting the foundation for the growth of smart, sustainable
solar in the state. Through the proposed solar rebate, ComEd would
provide a rebate of $1,000 per KW of installed solar capacity to
residential customers and $500 per KW to commercial and industrial
customers.
The solar rebate is part of a larger policy package that
includes initiatives aimed at increasing access to, and shared
benefits from, solar energy – including equitable pricing policies,
access to community solar, and lower up-front costs for consumers
desiring to install solar devices. The solar policy package, which
will require approval from the Illinois General Assembly or
Illinois regulators, is supported by solar companies like Universal
Solar – a company which manufactures panels and creates jobs in
Illinois.
“We are proud to announce this innovative solar rebate proposal,
which would help reduce barriers to solar ownership even as we work
to adjust net-metering policies to ensure that some customers don’t
have to pay more for the choices of other customers,” said Fidel
Marquez, ComEd’s Senior Vice President of Government and External
Affairs. “We are committed to the communities we serve, and this is
a pioneering part of a smart solar policy that will benefit our
customers and the environment for years to come.”
As part of ComEd’s larger focus on getting solar right in
Illinois, the solar rebate proposal and comprehensive policy
package will serve to set the policy stage for the smart,
sustainable growth of solar.
“The solar rebates will greatly benefit residents and businesses
in our communities, and will position Illinois as a leader in how
to incorporate solar in a smart and responsible way,” said Reverend
Walter Turner, New Spiritual Light Missionary Baptist Church.
“ComEd is committed to meeting the needs of our communities, and
we’re glad to see their leadership in ensuring solar incentives and
policies benefit all of us, not just some.”
Labor leaders in attendance heralded ComEd’s announcement as
important for Illinois’ green economy. “ComEd’s proposed solutions
to help support the growth of solar hold great promise for
good-paying jobs in Illinois,” said Jorge Ramirez, President of the
Chicago Federation of Labor. “We look forward to working on the
surge of solar panel installations we anticipate ComEd’s policies
would make spur.”
Today’s announcement builds on the energy company’s existing
solar initiatives – from receiving DoE SunShot Initiative funding
to incorporate solar in the Bronzeville microgrid, to partnering
with Cook County on its Solar Market Pathways project on community
solar. The company is also currently developing a first of its kind
engineering tool to seamlessly guide solar integration into the
energy grid.
In addition, ComEd has begun STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) education on solar. In February, ComEd
partnered with local community organizations to launch a new STEM
Program in honor of Black History Month. This “Solar Spotlight”
program saw local African American high school students to
participate in an innovative, two-day solar immersion experience
that included the installation of solar-powered lights in their
communities.
In attendance at today’s event was Christopher Williams,
President of Millennium Solar – which helped run the first Solar
Spotlight program – who stated that, “We are thrilled to have
partnered with ComEd as it launched such an innovative solar
education program. ComEd is leaning forward when it comes to
embracing solar, and we’re proud to be a part of that.”
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based
Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive
energy provider, with approximately 7.8 million customers. ComEd
provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across
northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For
more information visit ComEd.com, and
connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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ComEd Media Relations312-394-3500ComEd.com/News
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