Instead of stringing wire, many utilities are "connecting with the sun" to provide power to remote, small or seasonal electric loads--benefitting themselves and their customers. Photovoltaic (PV) energy--electricity made directly from sunlight by solar (photovoltaic) cells--can be cost effective compared to building and maintaining power lines, especially when the load is small, hard to get to, or seasonal. PV systems turn sunlight directly into electricity using silicon-coated solar cells. When photons from the sun hit a PV cell, electrons are freed. These electrons then can move through a wire to an appliance or battery storage. Southern and western states are especially active in PV efforts, largely due to remote customer locations and obstacles like trees and rugged terrain that drive up the cost of extending and maintaining power lines. Applications tend to be those with small power requirements, located in isolated areas. These include
Below is a partial list of utilities that are involved in selling or leasing solar power systems to their customers. If you know of others, not included on this list, please drop us an e-mail so we can add them. Partial List of Active Utilities 1. Idaho Power Company 2. Northwest Rural Public Power District (NE) 3. Big Horn County Electric Cooperative (MT) 4. Southwest Texas Electric Cooperative 5. Lyntegar Electric Co-op (TX) 6. Tri-County Electric Cooperative (WY) 7. Public Service Company of Colorado 8. K.C. Electric Cooperative (CO) 9. LaPlata Electric Association (CO) 10. Arizona Public Service Company Although it's beyond the scope of this website to cover all aspects of photovoltaic power, there are several other sources of information. Below is a partial listing of contacts. Partial List of Solar Information Sources
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