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Community solar a popular option Commentary


O


Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


n page 6 of this month’s edition of Oklahoma Liv- ing we feature so-


lar power and its emerging role of providing power to the grid. Interestingly, the rise of solar power is very similar to the early days of


wind power—it started out in consumers’ back yards and ended up in the electric utility portfo- lio as larger scale projects. Small wind turbines have diffi culty competing with the economies of scale provided by large, commercial-grade wind turbines—in both effi ciency and cost per unit of output. Solar power is following a similar path. To date, most solar installations have been at the consumer level and are concentrated in states like Arizona, New Mexico and California, where sun resources are better than in Oklahoma. However, large utility-scale projects that take ad- vantage of lower costs and larger scales are now being developed here in our state. One advantage that solar has over wind is that it is easier to scale down into ‘mid-size’ projects.


This feature makes “community solar” possible, and as such, it is becoming a popular option. Community solar provides an alternative for consumers who don’t have proper facing roof- tops or are concerned about the impacts rooftop solar systems may have on the life of their roof or roof replacement, the impact on their home’s value, additional insurance requirements, and maintenance. Those concerns can be avoided, plus consumers can take advantage of economies of scale and lower pricing. Today, utility-scale solar is being developed by virtually every utility that has reasonable sun re- sources available to them. More than a dozen electric cooperatives in Oklahoma have commu- nity solar projects underway. Solar, like wind, has its limitations. It’s a resource we welcome but one that must be backed up by traditional generation fuel resources when it’s not available. Your electric cooperatives continue to be lead- ers in the adoption and integration of renewable resources. They will continue to add renewables when and where they make sense and in the most affordable manner possible.


Good things come in October O


Kendall Beck President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


ctober is proba- bly my favorite month of the year. Not only


is it my birthday month, it also brings a change of seasons. The cool brisk air makes its appearance from the north and the leaves turn colors, making beau-


tiful artistic impressions. Also, football is in its prime and who doesn’t enjoy watching their fa- vorite football team while grilling great food over charcoal or a smoker? Growing up in eastern Oklahoma, my mom and dad loved to camp out when they could. Being in God’s great outdoors somehow made my senses more alert. I remember being outside the camper and smelling fried potatoes and on- ions cooking along with charcoaled hamburgers. I remember hearing geese fl ying high overhead and the coolness of an autumn breeze. It’s a spe- cial time of year and one I enjoy thoroughly. October is also National Cooperative Month, a time to recognize the positive impact coopera- tives play in our local communities. We must not take for granted the cooperative business model.


4


Cooperative Principles were established by the Rochdale Pioneers Equitable Society in 1844. These pioneers were forward thinking in creating a business model that allowed all members to benefi t from the goods and services provided. Rural electrifi cation and the evolution brought by electric cooperatives in rural America are prime examples of a cooperative’s ability to transform and infl uence. Visionary farmers saw it possible to improve the quality of their com- munities by making the dream of electricity a reality. Despite some opposition from inves- tor-owned utilities and skeptics, these pioneers pressed on and saw their mission come to frui- tion with the establishment of rural electric co- operatives throughout the nation. In Oklahoma, 28 distribution cooperatives now power the state of Oklahoma, serving over 550,000 consumers while owning and maintain- ing 115,000-plus miles of distribution line. Many of these cooperatives have celebrated 75 years, as shown in this edition’s Page 9. As electric coop- eratives embrace the 21st century, the needs of their consumers continue to evolve and diversify. Co-ops will continue to innovate while remain- ing committed to providing safe, affordable and reliable electricity.


Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Chris Meyers, General Manager Kendall Beck, President


Gary McCune, Vice-President Scott Copeland, Secretary Larry Hicks, Treasurer


Staff


Sid Sperry, Director of PR & Communications sksperry@oaec.coop


Anna Politano, Editor editor@ok-living.coop


Daniel Yates, Advertising Manager dyates@ok-living.coop


Kirbi Mills, Offi ce Manager kmills@oaec.coop


Hillary Barrow, Accountant/Offi ce Manager Asst. hbarrow@oaec.coop


Hayley Leatherwood, Multimedia Specialist hleatherwood@ok-living.coop


Taryn Sanderson, Editorial Intern intern@oaec.coop


Editorial, Advertising and General Offi ces P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 Phone (405) 478-1455


Oklahoma Living online: www.ok-living.coop Subscriptions


$3.12 per year for rural electric cooperative members.


$6.00 per year for non-members. Cooperative Members: Report change of


address to your local rural electric cooperative. Non-Cooperative Members: Send address


changes to Oklahoma Living, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.


Oklahoma Living (ISSN 1064-8968),


USPS 407-040, is published monthly for consumer-members of Oklahoma’s rural electric cooperatives by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, 2325 E. I-44 Service Road, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.


Circulation this issue: 321,397


Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Association of Electric


Cooperatives is a statewide service organization for the following electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Arkansas Valley, Caddo, Canadian Valley,


Central Rural, Choctaw, Cimarron, Cookson Hills, Cotton, East Central Oklahoma, Harmon, Indian, KAMO Power, Kay, Kiamichi, Kiwash, Lake Region, Northeast Oklahoma, Northfork,


Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ozarks, People’s, Red River Valley, Rural, Southeastern, Southwest


Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.


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