Purchase clean renewable energy through your utility. a. Purchase 100% of your home's electricity from renewable energy sources
Potomac Edison is the utility that provides electric service and billing to most Frederick County homes*; however, customers can choose to receive their actual electricity from either Potomac Edison or a different energy supplier. In 2011, only 3.44% of Potomac Edison’s electricity came from clean renewable sources, such as hydroelectric plants and wind farms. You can choose an alternate supplier; some offer plans with 50% or 100% of electricity generated from wind farms. Electric Choice Maryland posts current retail electricity suppliers and rates. Suppliers may allow you to lock in your electricity rate for one or two years. Rates vary slightly depending on your preferences and are comparable to Potomac Edison’s.
No matter which company you choose for your electricity supplier, Potomac Edison will still provide your bill which will include the normal charges for electric service/delivery provided by Potomac Edison. It will also include the charges for electricity usage provided by your alternate supplier. The same electric wires will bring power to your home and you will still contact Potomac Edison if the power goes out or have other service problems.
Depending on the provider, as of spring 2013, powering your home with wind-generated electricity may add as little as $0.006 per kilowatt hour (kWh) if you opt for 50% wind power; 100% wind-generated power may add approximately $0.01 per kWh. That’s only between $3 and $12 per month for an average home to help clear our air and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.Electricity is electricity regardless of its source. For example, once electricity generated from a wind farm enters the grid, it is indistinguishable from electricity generated from a coal plant. So how can an electricity supplier claim to be selling wind-generated power? For an explanation, check out the Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates Action.
* The Town of Thurmont has its own electric utility.
Take Action:
View current electricity suppliers and rates from Electric Choice Maryland (scroll down for the Potomac Edison Service Area)
Investigate options with current clean energy suppliers. (If you want to sign up online, you will need your Potomac Edison account number).
Sign up with a provider for either 100% or 50% wind-generated electricity.
Links to more information:
Renewable Star Handbook: Clean Renewable Energy – The Basics
Purchase clean renewable energy through your utility. b. Purchase 50% of your home's electricity from renewable energy sources
Potomac Edison is the utility that provides electric service and billing to most Frederick County homes*; however, customers can choose to receive their actual electricity from either Potomac Edison or a different energy supplier. In 2011, only 3.44% of Potomac Edison’s electricity came from clean renewable sources, such as hydroelectric plants and wind farms. You can choose an alternate supplier; some offer plans with 50% or 100% of electricity generated from wind farms. Electric Choice Maryland posts current retail electricity suppliers and rates. Suppliers may allow you to lock in your electricity rate for one or two years. Rates vary slightly depending on your preferences and are comparable to Potomac Edison’s.
No matter which company you choose for your electricity supplier, Potomac Edison will still provide your bill which will include the normal charges for electric service/delivery provided by Potomac Edison. It will also include the charges for electricity usage provided by your alternate supplier. The same electric wires will bring power to your home and you will still contact Potomac Edison if the power goes out or have other service problems.
Depending on the provider, as of spring 2013, powering your home with wind-generated electricity may add as little as $0.006 per kilowatt hour (kWh) if you opt for 50% wind power; 100% wind-generated power may add approximately $0.01 per kWh. That’s only between $3 and $12 per month for an average home to help clear our air and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.Electricity is electricity regardless of its source. For example, once electricity generated from a wind farm enters the grid, it is indistinguishable from electricity generated from a coal plant. So how can an electricity supplier claim to be selling wind-generated power? For an explanation, check out the Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates Action.
* The Town of Thurmont has its own electric utility.
Take Action:
View current electricity suppliers and rates from Electric Choice Maryland (scroll down for the Potomac Edison Service Area)
Investigate options with current clean energy suppliers. (If you want to sign up online, you will need your Potomac Edison account number).
Sign up with a provider for either 100% or 50% wind-generated electricity.
Try the EnergySage Solar Calculator and Marketplace
EnergySage allows you to view the average solar panel pricing in the Frederick County area, calculate the solar potential of your property, or request multiple solar quotes from installers in the area. You might think of Energy Sage as an unbiased solar matchmaker, connecting homeowners with its network of more than 300 pre-screened solar installers. The EnergySage platform aggregates multiple solar quotes for you, calculates the finacial merits of each offer, and then presents them back to you in an easy-to-understand format. According to EnergySage, people who use EnergySage may save $5,000 to $10,000 as compared to those who only work with a single installer.
Install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels by purchasing, leasing, or entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a system on your home or property
Solar photovoltaic systems consist of solar modules or panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity. Modules are connected to an inverter which converts the direct current produced by the modules into the alternating current that is identical to the power we receive from the grid. To be effective, rooftop or ground-mounted systems should face south or southwest with little or no shading.
Because sunlight is intermittent, most systems are grid-connected, net-metered systems. When the sun is shining and system is producing more energy than the building and its occupants are using, the excess energy flows back onto the electric grid and the meter “runs backward” providing a net credit to the homeowner. When the system is not generating enough electricity to meet the needs of the building, the homeowner can utilize regular grid-supplied power as needed.
Solar PV systems are expensive, but incentive grants, tax credits, and the sale of solar Renewable Energy Certificates can offset the cost of purchased systems. Alternatively, options to lease or enter into a PPA with a solar provider can reduce or even eliminate upfront costs. Installers typically offer a free site assessment and estimate, handle local permits and inspections, and assist you with applying for grants and tax credits.
If your home’s roof is not well oriented for a roof-mounted system, you may want to consider a ground-mount system or a solar shed.
Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset 100% your home's electricity use and your household's greenhouse gas emissions
If you live in Thurmont and cannot purchase electricity from renewable sources through your utility, or if you are interested in offsetting your household’s greenhouse gas emissions, purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), also known as Green tags, is a flexible option that supports the growth of the renewable energy sector.
RECs quantify the amount of clean energy a power generator has produced from a clean, renewable source, such as wind or solar. Every megawatt-hour (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of electricity generated from a renewable source is assigned a unique Renewable Energy Certificate, also known as a “green tag”. Most RECs are certified by a third-party entity, such as Green-e, and sold as a commodity to offset the pollution from electricity generated by burning fossil fuels. Whoever owns or purchases a REC can claim ownership of the environmental benefits attributable to clean renewable energy projects.
You can purchase RECs from a REC marketer; some of these marketers make it easy for individuals and families to purchase RECs online. Some marketers are geared for commercial operations.
Purchasing RECs will not affect your utility bill; you will be billed separately by your utility and your REC Marketer.
Determine how many RECs you need per year to offset 100% or 50% of your electricity use. Use your electric bill and find the "Usage History" on the bill. Use the “Last 12 Months Use” or take the “Average Monthly Use” and multiply it by 12 to get an estimate of your annual energy use.
Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates from a REC marketer.
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