Golden Valley Alternative Power program
| Program Type | Performance-based Incentive |
|---|---|
| Technologies | Photovoltaics, Solar Hot Water Heating, Wind energy, Small Hydroelectric |
| Amount | Maximum $1.50 per kilowatt hour with a maximum capacity of 25 kilowatts |
| Required Documentation | Completed Golden Valley Electric application |
| Official Web Site | http://www.gvea.com/energyprograms/snap/ |
Alaska’s Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) program started in 2005 and now has 39 private renewable energy providers contributing clean power to the grid. The program operates separately from Alaska’s other utilities, having absolutely no impact on energy costs in the state.
The SNAP program is a way for clean energy advocates to contribute.
People and businesses within the operating area of the Golden Valley Electric Association can support the program by saying they want to donate money to the SNAP fund or by saying they want to buy clean power through the program. Either way, the end result is that participants pay extra on their utility bills each month with that extra money going into the SNAP fund to pay SNAP power producers.
Those who want to generate clean energy have to shoulder all of the up-front expense of developing a clean energy generation plant and connecting it to Golden Valley’s grid. But then they can sell the power they generate back to the utility company.
As long as the new operator-owned plant has a capacity of less than 25 kilowatt hours, Golden Valley Electric will buy the power from the SNAP producer at a rate of up to $1.50 per kilowatt hour. The pay out to the SNAP producer depends entirely on how much money is in the SNAP fund as of March 31 of each year. If there is no money in the fund, Golden Valley won’t pay anything for the clean energy.
SNAP producers are not allowed to store or use the power they generate for the program as a back-up supply. It’s metered separately as it’s fed into Golden Valley’s grid.
SNAP producers are also obligated to pay for any upgrades or updates required by future changes to the Federal or state laws regarding power generation.
