El Paso Electric proposal would reduce monthly subscription cost to community solar projects by 9.4 percent

El Paso Electric (EPE) filed a proposal with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) this week, with the goal of expanding its Texas Community Solar program and reducing the monthly capacity charge all participants face.

The plan would reduce that subscription cost by nearly 10 percent per kilowatt (kW), and if approved, the proposal could see the expansion occur by as early as May 1. That fee would drop from $20.96 per kW to $18.99 per kW. An additional two megawatts of solar energy would be added to the program and allow for around 2,500 customers total to be serviced.

The expansion has been a long time coming as EPE has reported full subscription to the service since its launch in April 2017, and more than 1,000 more customers on a waiting list. All 1,000 would be added to the plan if the expansion is approved.

“We are excited to have found a way to provide additional Texas customers with easy access to solar energy, and especially to those customers who have been patiently waiting to join our program,” Mary Kipp, El Paso Electric president and CEO, said. “As we continue to evolve and expand with our communities, we strive to do so in a safe, cost-effective, reliable and environmentally responsible manner and are hoping to implement a similar program in New Mexico soon.”

The expansion is made possible through generation from the PSEG El Paso Solar Energy Center in northeast El Paso.