PUC approves restart of Solar Rewards

DENVER – The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Friday approved a plan to restart Xcel Energy Inc.’s Solar Rewards program this week.

The program provides home and commercial power users with rebates if they install photovoltaic solar electric systems. Xcel Energy suspended the program Feb. 17 after announcing it wanted to lower the amount it paid out in incentives.

Customers who sell solar power to Xcel will receive $1.75 per watt to start, under the settlement approved by the PUC, compared with $2.01 prior to Xcel stopped the program Feb. 17. At that point, Xcel said it wanted to lower the amount…