141031_AVUsolargrants.pdf

Case No. AVU-E-14-10, Order No. 33151
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov

Avista seeks to award grants to commercial solar applications
BOISE (Oct. 31, 2014) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is taking comments through Nov.
21 on an Avista Utilities application to promote grants for rooftop solar applications on small
commercial buildings in its Washington and northern Idaho territory.

Avista reports it has a $200,000 surplus in its “Buck-a-Block” renewable energy tariff. That
program, in place since 2002, allows Avista customers who want to buy renewable power from
regional wind and solar sources to buy in blocks of 300 kilowatt-hours at $1 per block. In 2013,
about 3,500 Avista customers purchased nearly 227,000 blocks or 68,000 megawatt-hours. Due
to the availability of low-cost renewable energy credits in recent years and a plateau in the
number of Avista customers signing up for the program, there is a surplus of about $200,000 in
the Buck-a-Block tariff.

Avista proposes to use that surplus to award grants for rooftop solar installations of 20
kilowatts or smaller on commercial buildings. Successful grant recipients would agree to allow
their installation to be made available for educating building occupants and members of the
community on the benefits of both solar energy generation and Avista’s Buck-a-Block program.
Preference would be given to school districts and buildings where the visibility of the
installation will have the greatest impact for both educational purposes and solar energy
generation.

Avista estimates it would be able to fund six to eight small projects of 5 kW or less or two larger
projects of 20 kW or less. After screening, applicants would be awarded partial or full funding,
not to exceed $70,000 per site.

This application would have no impact on customer rates.

Comments are accepted via e-mail through Nov. 21, 2014, by accessing the commission’s
Website at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Case Comment Form,” under the “Electric”
heading. Fill in the case number (AVU-E-14-10) and enter your comments. Comments can also
be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].