Jul 1 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Karen Vigil The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.

Beginning Monday, Colorado's electric customers will be eligible to receive thousands of dollars in rebates when they install solar energy systems in their homes and businesses, according to Aquila utility company officials.

Aquila released a statement Friday that the Colorado Public Utilities commission this week approved the company's solar energy rebate and incentives program.

The program provides financial incentives for Aquila customers who install photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight into electricity.

More than 92,000 Aquila customers in 21 Colorado communities are eligible "for some of the highest incentives in the state," up to $6 per watt installed, the statement indicated.

The savings will depend on the size of the PV system and the number of customers who participate, according to Aquila spokesman Roger Kort.

The rebate program is a part of Aquila's commitment to develop renewable energy as well as a response to Amendment 37, a voter-approved 2004 initiative that requires utility companies to sell some electricity from renewable resources such as the wind and sun.

Aquila is offering the rebates because PV installation costs are high.

According to a Colorado Renewable Energy Society estimate, a 3,000-square-foot Colorado house would require a 3-kilowatt PV system costing $27,000.

Aquila officials said that price could be reduced by as much as $18,000 through its program. Incentives could be much higher for larger homes and businesses.

The program provides for a direct rebate for the one-time cost of equipment and installation for smaller systems. Larger systems - from 10 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts - also would receive annual payments.

Additionally, on days when the solar panels generate more power than customers use, customers would earn a bill credit from Aquila.

Aquila is referring customers interested in the program to PV contractors qualified by the Colorado Energy Industries Association. A list of contractors is available on the Web site: www.coseia.org.

Customers then apply for the rebates through contractor-supplied forms or online at pv.aquilaprograms.com.

For more details, call Aquila toll-free at 800-454-8651.

Aquila is based in Kansas City, Mo. Its Colorado electric operations are headquartered in Pueblo and serve 92,000 customers in Canon City, Cripple Creek, Florence, Penrose, Pueblo, Rocky Ford, Westcliffe and several other south-central Colorado communities.