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Austin Energy working with Austin's airport to harness solar power

This new source of solar power will be used to support Austin Energy's residential solar power option, Community Solar.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editors note: The attached video is from a recent story over scammers pretending to be Austin Energy employees.

Austin Energy announced on Twitter they are working with the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to buy 1.8 MW of solar power from panels on top of the airport's new parking garage in a power purchase agreement.

This new batch of solar power will be used to support Austin Energy's residential solar power option, Community Solar.

The program aims to provide Austin Energy's residential customers with an option for clean energy.

According to Austin Energy's website, when customers subscribe to the Community Solar program, Austin Energy will develop or procure solar projects in the Austin area to meet their customer's electricity needs.

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This option is targeted towards renters, homeowners who have shaded roofs and those who don't want to maintain a rooftop solar system.

Austin Energy said that the program adds about $14 on average to subscribers monthly electric bills. They list the rate for traditional energy at $0.02895/kWh and the rate for Community Solar at $0.0427/kWh.

A benefit to the program, according to Austin Energy, is that Community Solar subscribers will have a 15-year fixed rate while traditional energy is adjusted annually.

Those eligible for the City of Austin Customer Assistance Program can receive a reduced rate for the Community Solar program at $0.0277/kWh.

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