Dixie solar-power sales weak

ST. GEORGE — If you don't know the math about renewable energy, you're not alone.

St. George area residents are getting an education about the dollars and sense of solar power, and the first thing many are learning is that "going green" is going to cost them. The reality that electricity rates will be higher for those who buy "units" of the new solar farm in town has settled over this red rock area, and so far, customers have balked at trading their bucks for the hope of reducing their carbon footprints.

"We've noticed that customers have not been breaking down our door to buy units," said St. George Energy Services director Phillip Solomon. "There are those who want to go completely green, and those who don't want it."

Energy officials say only about 16 of 100 available units have been sold, but they're anticipating sales to improve.

St. George conservation coordinator Rene Fleming hopes the solar farm's ribbon-cutting ceremony, scheduled for today, will give the project a boost. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., St. George Mayor Dan McArthur and Solomon are scheduled to speak.

The slow sales have not been for lack of trying. SGSunSmart has retained the services of a public relations firm and is linked on the Internet from almost every site possible using the word "solar."

The units amount to shares in SGSunSmart, a 466-panel solar photovoltaic facility built on the outskirts of Bloomington by St. George Energy Services and Dixie Escalante Electric. Units of 1 kilowatt can be purchased by area residents for $6,000, and half-units are available for $3,000.

SGSunSmart, operational since mid-December, is offering 100 units for sale to cover the $600,000 cost of the photovoltaic facility. Customers who purchase kilowatt units will then receive a credit on their electricity bills for the amount produced that month by the unit of solar panels.

But therein lies the rub.

SGSunSmart is guaranteeing by contract only about $54 per year credit per "unit" purchased. Though, according to Fleming, the anticipated output is a bit higher based on St. George's sunny history.

"One unit should generate about 140 kWh per month, on average," Fleming said. "At current rates, that's about $9.50 average per month."