This small photovoltaic system in Nahahum Canyon near Cashmere was one of four new solar installations added to the SNAP program in 2011.

Note: An earlier version of this story provided an incorrect figure for the number of new producers. The error has been corrected in this version.

Chelan County PUD’s SNAP program added five new private producers in 2011 — the most in any one year since SNAP began in 2001.

The PUD operates three hydropower projects so already is into renewable hydropower in a big way. SNAP — short for Sustainable Natural Alternative Power –  focuses on small-scale solar and wind power. 

A total of 47 schools, nonprofit agencies and individuals are producing power for the PUD through SNAP. Five new private producers joined the program in 2011: John Alt of Entiat, Dennis Vogt of Chelan, Regge Egger of Plain, Lauren Johnson and Barbara Rossing of Leavenworth, and Shlomo Freiman and Mindy Stern, who have a summer home in Cashmere. The five are generating solar with rooftop and pole-mounted systems; together they added 22 kilowatts of capacity to the SNAP program. 

Three of the four new producers are using solar modules and inverters manufactured in Washington state, making them eligible for the highest payouts available through the state’s renewable incentive program. Taking advantage of the state program, in addition to SNAP, brings an earlier payback and helps make the investment in solar equipment more cost-effective. 

While state payments come from the state’s utility tax fund, SNAP payments come from green-minded PUD customers who want to see new renewable resources developed. In the 2010-11 production year, customers contributed $25,506 to SNAP. 

There’s a place on the electric bill where customers can sign up to support SNAP in any amount. There’s also a spot on the PUD website where customers can sign up.  

The website is also the place to go if you’re looking for information on becoming a SNAP producer, or want to see facts and photos about producers in the program. 

In 2010-11, producers generated 117,792 kilowatt hours of electricity. To put that in perspective, that’s the average annual use of about six homes in Chelan County. “While that’s not a lot of power, that’s really not the point of the program,” said Susan Gillin, SNAP coordinator. “The point is to plant the seeds for a future resource that, as time goes by, will become more and more viable.”

Chelan County PUD customers can now go paperless and receive their bills electronically. The change saves paper, which is good for the environment, and it saves the PUD money that would be spent on paper and mailing costs.

Customers can sign up for the PowerPay option on the PUD website.

Customers who choose paperless billing receive email notification when their bills are due. They can see current and past bills online, as well as use improved electronic and phone payment options. More than 40 percent of PUD bill payments already are made electronically.

Savings to the PUD for electronic billing average 54 cents per bill. Overall savings will depend on how many customers choose the paperless option.

SNAP's newest solar installation at the John Alt home in Entiat can generate up to 4.68 kilowatts of energy

2011 marks the 10^th year for Chelan County PUD’s Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) program. The program connects customers who want to produce solar and wind power with other local customers who want to support the development of new, renewable energy. 

Under the program, customers voluntarily pay a little extra on their utility bills. These customer donations are collected by the PUD and distributed once a year to SNAP producers — individuals, schools and nonprofit agencies that are generating solar and wind power. Renewable energy generated by SNAP producers goes into the PUD’s electrical grid and is distributed to PUD customers. 

SNAP started with a 340-watt solar installation owned by Randy and Anne Brooks of Chelan. The program now has 44 solar, wind and small-hydro producers with a generating capacity of 83 kilowatts. John and Annette Alt are the SNAP’s newest solar producers, placing 24 roof-mounted panels on a shop building behind their Columbia riverfront home in Entiat. Their system was connected in March. 

Customers who produce energy for SNAP are helping grow a new, renewable resource to complement our already abundant hydropower. Click here to learn about becoming a SNAP producer. Customers who support SNAP are helping build a base of renewable energy in Chelan County. They’re helping diversify our energy resources as well as our economy. Click here to become a SNAP supporter.

Nick Chambers of Wenatchee drove this Nissan Leaf past its expected range -- and enjoyed every minute of it.

Nick Chambers of Wenatchee was among five Americans invited to Nissan headquarters last year to drive a prototype all-electric car. You might say he turned over a new Leaf.

Chambers is a freelance writer and green car expert who serves as AutoTrader.com‘s green car specialist and is a contributing writer for New York Times and Popular Mechanics. He has helped build two websites about the future of transportation from scratch: PluginCars.com and Gas2.org. There are only a dozen or so journalists in the world who focus on sustainable transportation, so they’re well known in the automotive industry, he said.

As a result, Chambers was invited to Yokohama, Japan last year to test drive what he called a “pre- pre-production model” of the all-electric Nissan Leaf.  The date included lunch with Carlos Ghosn, Nissan CEO.

Chambers said he found driving the Leaf “indistinguishable from driving a regular car,” except that it’s so darn quiet. Without the noisy trappings of a combustion engine, motorists can move into “Zen driving,” he said. But the lack of engine clatter creates challenges for carmakers because rattles, squeaks and wind noises that normally aren’t noticeable become more obvious and obnoxious.

At a national media launch in Tennessee last October, Chambers was invited to test the range of the Leaf. Under average conditions, the car’s battery is expected to last about 100 miles, he said. Chambers drove from the Nissan plant in Smyrna to the landmark Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg – a round trip of 116 miles. (And no, he didn’t stop at the distillery for a drink.) He drove on back roads with climate control running, keeping his speed between 50 and 55 mph except for the last eight-mile stretch, when he  dropped down to 45 mph to conserve power.

Chambers is a green-car advocate but said he’s not afraid to point to problems when he sees them. Driving an all-electric or plug-in hybrid (which uses gasoline in addition to electricity) is not for everybody, he said. He’s not planning to buy one – yet.

He and his wife share one car. They have two young children. They like to go camping in faraway places. Sometimes Chambers’ work takes him to Seattle or other cities out of range of an all-electric car.

“It’s not for everybody,” he said. “As soon as there’s a vehicle that’s four-wheel drive, or a mini-van with sliding doors, that’s a plug-in or electric… then I’ll buy.”

Still, he sees electric cars as key to diversifying transportation. They’re part of inevitable change that will need to include biofuels, natural-gas and plug-in vehicles, he said. It’s important to reduce the country’s dependence on oil for natural security and economic reasons. “It’s about consumer choice, security, diversifying the energy supply in this country, and the environment.”

Nissan: Quake in Japan will delay Leaf deliveries (green.autoblog.com)

Marshall and Hannah Wallace (with their twins) are one of nine families competing in the Reduce Your Use Contest. Profiles of the families are on the PUD Web site. Follow their progress on Facebook.

Customers compete in Reduce Your Use Contest

Nine homeowners are on their way to energy savings as part of Chelan PUD’s Reduce Your Contest. The contest kicked off Jan. 1 and extends through March 31.

Homeowners are competing in a friendly race to see who can reduce their electric bills by the greatest percentage over the three-month period. The biggest loser will be the biggest winner. 

Prizes donated by local businesses are: a $500 gift certificate provided by Wal-Mart; a $250 certificate from Community Glass; and a $100 certificate from Stan’s Merry Mart.

Contestants are:
• Rob and Kelle Brown, 1023 Kittitas, Wenatchee
• Nick and Jenn Brunner, 6520 Flowery Divide, Cashmere
• Richard and Shirley Ehrenberg, 711 Lambert, Wenatchee
• Robbin and Jennifer Freeman, 2945 Sierra Blvd., Malaga
• Michael Hawkins, 1130 Maple #86, Wenatchee
• Matthew and Stacy Luckensmeyer, 202 Chapel St., Cashmere
• Mike and Kay Phillips, 3825 Eels Road, Cashmere
• Laura Thompson, 410 Pioneer Dr., Wenatchee
• Marshall and Hannah Wallace, 120 Wilson St. S., Wenatchee

Photos and details about each household are on the PUD website.

The nine participants were selected by PUD Conservation staff based on where they live, type of home, and their potential to “Reduce Your Use.”  Staff conducted detailed home energy audits for the contestants and provided each with personalized recommendations on how to save energy.

Track the progress of our nine contestants on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReduceYourUse), then hunt down yours.