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Making the Switch to an Electric Vehicle?

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Sustainability.

Making the Switch to an Electric Vehicle?

December 1, 2024

If you’re considering making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV), Trico is here to help. As your trusted local energy partner, we can help you make informed decisions about home charging options and factors to help you decide if an EV works for your typical driving needs.

Types of EVs

There are three common types of EVs. All-electric vehicles, also known as battery electric vehicles or BEVs, are powered solely by a large battery. Because BEVs are powered by a rechargeable battery and do not use gasoline, they produce zero emissions. On average, BEVs can run on a full battery for 110–300 miles.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are powered by a combination of a large battery, an electric motor and a gas-powered engine. PHEVs recharge battery power from regenerative braking and can also be plugged in to a standard outlet. Depending on the model, they can run on full battery power (alone) for 15–60 miles.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) use an electric motor to assist gas-powered engines. Similar to PHEVs, HEVs can also recharge their battery power from regenerative braking, but the power comes from the gas engine, and they do not plug in to an electrical outlet.

Home Charging Options

Most new BEVs and PHEVs include a Level 1 charging unit (110-volt compatible), which can be plugged into any standard household electrical outlet. A Level 1 charger typically provides two to five miles of range per hour of charging, which may work for those with shorter daily commutes.

For lengthier daily drive times, Level 2 chargers can be installed for faster charging, at 10–30 miles of range per hour. A Level 2 charger uses 240-volt service, which may require electrical upgrades conducted by a licensed electrician.

Trico can help

Member interest in EVs is growing and that’s why Trico provides information about EVs on our website so our Members can make informed EV purchasing decisions. We also offer two voluntary rate options for EV owners.

Trico EV Time-of-Use Rate

Trico’s voluntary Electric Vehicle Time-of-Use Rate (EV TOU Rate) is for eligible Members who have EVs. Members who sign up for the EV TOU Rate will receive up to 400kWh of energy at a 45 percent rate reduction if they charge their EVs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Encouraging charging during off-peak hours supports Trico’s system and helps save money for all Members. This experimental rate is available to the first 1,000 Members who sign up.

Trico EV Unlimited Rate

With this rate, Trico will own and install a Level 2 charger at the Member’s home and provide unlimited EV charging at a fixed monthly cost when charging between the hours of 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Charging outside these hours is an additional $0.25 per kWh charge. This experimental rate is available to the first 1,000 Members who sign up.

For more information about EVs, visit our website at www.trico.coop, email sunwatts@trico.coop, or call us at 520‑744‑2944 ext. 1524 to speak to one of our Energy Solutions experts.

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CEO Column: New BESS System Saves Members Money

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in CEO Column, Sustainability.

CEO Column: Trico’s New BESS Saves Members Money

August 1, 2024

On July 2, 2024, Trico hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Sahuarita Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a key part of our ongoing efforts to provide our Members with cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions.

The event marked a significant milestone, supported by a $55.2 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. Sierra Southwest Cooperatives Inc., which develops energy resources for Arizona’s nonprofit electric co-ops, received the award to support three battery storage facilities in Pima, Cochise and Mohave counties totaling 35 megawatts.

The new Sahuarita BESS, with a 10-megawatt peak capacity and a 40-megawatt-hour battery array, will store solar energy produced during the day and release it during peak demand in the evening. This project allows us to provide more reliable power, enhances our resilience, and saves our Members money. The system can power approximately 3,000 households for four hours.

Trico is proud to be among the top five electric cooperatives in the nation for installed solar and storage capacity. With a goal of reducing our carbon emissions by 50% by 2032, projects like the Sahuarita BESS are crucial steps towards achieving this target. Our cooperative’s commitment to clean energy was further reinforced by the presence of local leaders and stakeholders, including Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy, who praised the project as a model for other communities to follow.

As a non-profit cooperative, we do everything we can to provide our Members with great value at a reasonable cost. This project is an example of how Trico goes the extra mile to produce savings for our Members. When it comes to power supply, we do this by pursuing grants, managing expenses, developing innovative ways to save on power supply costs, and working with partners who understand what it means to be a co-op. Our new Sahuarita BESS will provide cost benefits not just for the community where it is located, but for all Members and for years to come.


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Trico Pioneers Electric Vehicle Charger Installation

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Sustainability.

Trico pioneers electric vehicle charger installations

June 10, 2024

Trico has started installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Members’ homes to support Members with EVs and help reduce energy usage during periods of high demand.

Among the early adopters is Clifford Rosario, whose embrace of EV technology underscores the practicality and convenience it offers. Rosario, a lifelong car enthusiast, became the first homeowner to have a Trico EV charger installed at his residence. His decision to enroll in the program stems from the seamless experience it promises, coupled with substantial cost savings in the long run.

“Convenience and affordability were key factors in my decision,” he said. “While EV chargers can often be a hefty investment, opting for installation through Trico not only eases the financial burden but also ensures hassle-free usage.”

For Rosario, whose daily routine includes commuting between Tucson and Phoenix, the appeal of electric vehicles initially lay in their impressive performance metrics. However, it wasn’t until he integrated an EV into his lifestyle that he realized its full potential.

“With my hectic schedule, the last thing I need is frequent trips to the gas station,” Rosario remarks. “The transition to electric driving has not only streamlined my daily commute but also alleviated concern about maintenance and emissions.”

Rosario’s sentiment reflects a growing trend among Trico Members gravitating towards EVs for their practicality and environmental benefits. With 99% of his yearly mileage now powered by electricity, he advocates for the widespread adoption of EV chargers to facilitate this transition for others.

“Installing an EV charger at home is a game-charger,” Rosario asserts. “It not only encourages eco-friendly practices but also simplifies the switch to electric vehicles for individuals on the fence.”

Trico’s experimental EV rates offer savings for Members with EVs and a way to control costs for all Members.

To learn more about Trico’s EV Unlimited Rate, visit www.trico.coop.

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Renewable Energy Boost Rate

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Sustainability.

Renewable Energy Boost Rate gives Members an affordable way to contribute to Trico’s energy goals

May 1, 2024

Sustainability is part of Trico’s mission. The Renewable Energy Boost Rate is designed to provide Trico Members with an inexpensive and flexible renewable energy option. Members on this rate benefit from a simple and transparent way to go green, without having to invest in home solar systems.N

Members on this rate pay an extra $0.01 per kWh to roundup from the amount of renewables on Trico’s system (35%) to cover 100% of your usage. Trico will purchase and retire Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the West to account for the difference.

What’s a REC and how does it work?

A REC is a renewable energy certificate. Because the physical electricity we receive through the utility grid says nothing of its origin or how it was generated, RECs play an important role in accounting, tracking, and assigning ownership to renewable electricity generation and use. Trico will purchase RECs from the West, ensuring it is a legitimate REC that will be retired to you. Retiring the REC means that you, and only you, will be able to use that particular REC and it will not be sold again to another Member. As your local cooperative, Trico takes integrity seriously and is proud to ensure there is transparency and accountability in how we purchase and retire these RECs.

How much more will I spend per month on my energy usage?

The average Trico Member will spend an additional $4-$8 per month on their energy bill, depending on their individual usage each month and the time of year. Trico’s goal is to ensure Members can participate in this rate by providing an affordable and sustainable energy solution.

How do I know if this rate is right for me?

This rate offers an inexpensive option for Members who are willing to pay a little more each month for renewable energy. This rate might be right for you if:

  • You want to go green without having to purchase a home solar system.
  • You’re willing to pay a little extra each month to reduce carbon emissions.
  • You’re invested in supporting a sustainable future.

For more information, visit our website at www.trico.coop/sustainable-energy.

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Trico Launches New EV Unlimited Rate

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Sustainability.

For some electric vehicle owners, our new EV Unlimited Rate could save you money

April 1, 2024

We are excited to announce our new Electric Vehicle (EV) Unlimited Rate. It is a simple, convenient option for Members who want to charge their EV at home.

This rate is designed to support the growing EV demand, and we recognize Trico Members with EVs have different needs. Members on this rate benefit from charging their EV in the convenience of their own home with the reliability and excellent service Trico provides.

Trico will install a level-two charger and offer unlimited charging at a flat monthly rate between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. See the chart at right.

This rate, along with our EV Time of Use Rate, is an example of Trico’s innovation to meet our Members’ needs in a way that benefits all Members.

To learn more, visit here.

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Rooftop Solar Considerations

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Sustainability.

Questions to consider before installing rooftop solar

February 1, 2024

The benefits of installing rooftop solar panels may seem like a no-brainer, but the reality is, not every home (and homeowner’s situation) is always right for solar.

There are several factors to consider before installing a rooftop solar system, like determining if your home will receive enough sun to achieve your goals, finding the right contractor, negotiating contracts and other important details.

Investing in solar for your home is a major decision. If you’re considering rooftop solar, Trico can help. We are committed to providing information and guidance to assist Members in determining if solar is right for them. Our Energy Solutions Program Managers are available to serve as your energy partner throughout the solar interconnection process. To get started, visit our website at www.trico.coop/sustainable-energy or call us at 520-744-2944.

Here are questions to consider before installing rooftop solar panels.

  1. What are my goals? If your primary goal is to save money on electric bills, you may be able to achieve this by improving the energy efficiency of your home. Visit our website for a full list of energy efficiency tips and to see our upcoming free webinars and resources.
  2. Is my roof suitable for solar? Your roof should be in good condition before installing solar panels. If your roof is old and in poor shape, it may need to be replaced before panels can be mounted. Additionally, your roof should receive a lot of sun to make the most of a rooftop system. Consider how much sun (and shade) the roof receives and if any trees will need to be removed. Solar panels perform best when facing south, so keep this in mind as you think about where the panels will be mounted.
  3. How long will I own the home? If you’re considering rooftop solar, you’re likely planning to stay in the home for several years. But if you plan to sell the home at some point down the road, consider that not all potential buyers will want to maintain a rooftop solar system. If you enter a contract to lease the system, carefully review the terms and what those mean if you decide to sell the property.
  4. Lease or purchase? Purchasing a rooftop solar system outright is expensive, which is why many homeowners opt to lease their solar panels. However, federal tax credits can help cover some of the costs for a new system, up to 30%. Regardless of how you decide to finance the solar system, make sure you get several quotes from qualified contractors.
  5. Can the contractor provide up-to-date documentation? Request proof and documentation of the contractor’s licensing, permitting and other credentials. Comb through company reviews. Check the contractor’s status with the Better Business Bureau, the AZ Attorney General’s Office, and the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
  6. Does the contract seem reasonable and fair? If you decide to hire a contractor to install rooftop solar, carefully read the fine print of the contract. Do the system performance calculations seem realistic? Does the project timeframe sound reasonable? Negotiate the contract terms to fit your goals and needs.
  7. Who will maintain the solar panels? Determining who is responsible for maintaining the solar panels will depend on who owns the system. If you lease the system from a solar installer, it may be their responsibility. Periodically, solar panels may need to be cleaned as dirt and debris can impact panel productivity. Parts may also need to be replaced, so it’s important to know who will take on these responsibilities.

If you decide to install solar, you should contact Trico to understand how the interconnection process works as well as what to expect on your bill. The system will likely be connected to the electric grid, so you’ll need to sign an interconnection agreement.

Did you miss our Virtual Solar Workshop on January 16? A recording of the workshop is available on our website at www.trico.coop/sustainable-energy.

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New Electric Vehicle Time-of-Use Rate

Written by csadmin on . Posted in Sustainability.

Trico is proud to offer a new voluntary Electric Vehicle Time-of-Use Rate (EV TOU Rate) for eligible Trico Members who own electric vehicles (EVs). This rate is designed to help meet the growing demand for EVs among Trico Members, reduce strain on the system during peak hours, and lower costs for Trico’s overall membership.

Trico Members who sign up for the EV TOU Rate will receive a 45 percent rate reduction when charging their EVs between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. up to 400 kWh of energy. This experimental rate is available to the first 1,000 Trico Members who sign up. By offering this rate, Trico will be better able to understand Members’ EV usage and determine how many EVs are in Trico’s service area. This information will then help develop future EV programs at Trico as we work to better serve EV demand and Members’ needs.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, Trico’s focus is on meeting the needs of all Members and putting Members’ interests first. By encouraging Members with EVs to charge during non-peak hours when energy supplies are high and costs are low, Trico can control costs and efficiently use the entire system, which benefits all Members, even those who do not own EVs.

“EVs offer a significant opportunity for electric cooperatives, and Trico has been planning for an increase in EV adoption. Trico is committed to providing its Members with sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions, and that means our EV strategy starts with our Members,” said Brian Heithoff, Trico CEO and General Manager.

To learn more about the EV TOU Rate and for additional EV information, visit www.trico.coop/electric-vehicles.

Batteries are now operational at Avion Solar

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Projects, Sustainability.

The Avion Solar Facility has been providing Trico with clean energy since 2018, and now we have added battery energy storage to the system.

On May 9, 2023, Trico held a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at Avion, attended by representatives from the Town of Marana, the Marana Chamber of Commerce, Torch Clean Energy and Solv Energy. The Town of Marana Mayor Ed Honea, Sarah Born from Torch and Trico CEO & GM Brian Heithoff gave speeches about the battery energy storage system and what it means to Trico’s Members and the Town of Marana.

“It’s an honor to be here and see how innovative Trico is with what they do in the community,” Mayor Honea said. “The batteries are really important because they provide service for us in times of emergency.”

The annual energy output of the Avion solar system is over 30,000 MWh per year, which is enough to power approximately 3,000 average residential homes. The 15 MW/30 MWh battery system matches the Chirreon Solar and Battery Storage Facility. The batteries can power about 4,000 homes for two hours.

“This will not only help us to provide some resilience but more importantly help us to save money when we discharge the battery over the most expensive part of the day so just another way Trico is looking out for its Members’ best interest,” Eric Hawkins said.

“The cornerstone of our plan is to have a balanced portfolio, so we intend to invest more in battery and solar while continuing to work with our partners to invest in new efficient natural gas technology,” Mr. Heithoff said. “The whole portfolio we put together is working together to ensure that we provide reliable service to our Members.

“(Avion) is tied for the largest battery installation of any cooperative in Arizona, and we are tied with ourselves for the Chirreon and Avion Solar sites. We are proud of that.”

Avion Solar & Battery Facts

Here are some facts about the project:

Solar Commissioned: December 14, 2018

System: 10 MW Single-axis tracking

Number of panels: 40,716 solar photovoltaic modules

Annual energy output: Over 30,000 MWh annually, which is enough to power approximately 3,000 average residential homes.

Battery System: 15 MW/30 MWh. The batteries can power about 4,000 homes for two hours.

Renewable Energy: About 33 percent of Trico’s retail sales come from renewable resources.

Cross-country journey in Ford Lightning electric truck was great learning experience for Trico

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Sustainability.

By Rylee Schull

In March 2023, Trico employees Sabrina and Bryan English, an IT Specialist and a Journeyman Lineman respectively, embarked on a 3,852-mile round trip from Trico to Nashville, Tennessee, and back in a Ford Lightning F-150 all-electric truck.

Sabrina and Bryan went to Nashville for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) PowerXchange and TechAdvantage conferences. They made stops at electric cooperatives along the way, including Columbus Electric Co-op in New Mexico. On the way back, they stopped at First Electric Cooperative in Jacksonville, Arkansas. "They were so welcoming, and we appreciated them letting us charge the Lightning," Sabrina said.

While at a charger, they met an employee from Craighead Electric Cooperative in Arkansas who was also heading to the PowerXchange conference and driving a Ford Lightning. It’s always a happy coincidence to meet with our co-op family.

"After this experience, we both agreed we would travel with an electric vehicle again like this," Sabrina said. "Charging times allowed us to take breaks, get our steps in, shop, and most importantly save money and the environment by not buying gas and reducing our carbon footprint. Chargers were easily accessible and available at frequent stops across our route. We only had one issue with a charger, but after calling Electrify America (an EV public charging network across the U.S.) they were able to fix the problem quickly and get us on our way."

The journey took a total of 78 hours, including stops and charging time, which was faster than expected due to the efficiency of the

350 kW chargers. Despite the freezing temperatures impacting range, with 221 miles at 90% charge compared to 273 miles, the average charge times were only 35 minutes. The total charging cost of $385 was roughly a third of what they would have paid for gas. Overall, the trip was a success and highlighted the potential for all-electric trucks to handle long-distance travel.

Trico is proud to continue meeting the needs of our Members, including learning more about EVs and providing upcoming rates/options for our Members with EVs.

To look back at Sabrina and Bryan’s journey, visit Trico’s Facebook page at facebook.com/TricoElectricAZ or Instagram at instagram.com/TricoElectricAZ.

Answers to your questions

Our Members had questions about the trip. Here are the answers to those questions.

Where do you find charging stations?

There are a few ways to find charging stations, but here are the top two options Sabrina and Bryan used:

1) Electrify America is a great option that you can use to map out your entire route. It will show you where all their chargers are located, and typically they have quick chargers available!

2) Many EVs have built in navigation that can help route you to chargers to make sure you won’t run out of power before getting to the next station.

Does the weather affect the mileage?

The freezing temperatures did impact range, with 221 miles at 90% charge compared to 273 miles.

Outside temperatures, particularly colder weather, can impact the range of an EV. Unlike a gas-powered vehicle, where the heat is mostly coming from the engine, an EV must produce cabin heat and manage an optimal battery temperature with energy that comes from the battery, which can reduce battery range.

Are electric vehicles reliable for road trips?

You can make a long road trip without fear of getting stranded, as long as you plan ahead. That means juggling route-planning apps and billing accounts with various charging companies, which can get confusing. And be prepared for the unexpected, like glitchy charging equipment touchscreens, billing questions and inoperable plugs.

How far can you travel in an electric vehicle?

Many of today's EVs have a range well over 100 miles per charge, with some models reaching more than 300 miles per charge.

Construction continues at Chirreon Solar & Battery Facility

Written by Monica Pugno on . Posted in Projects, Sustainability.

Trico employees and contractors from SOLV Energy continue working at the Chirreon Solar and Battery Storage Facility, located on Edwin Road west of North Oracle Road within Pinal County.

Chirreon will have over 40,000 photovoltaic solar panels, and the 15-megawatt battery storage system will be capable of discharging 30 MWh of energy. The facility will help Trico delay the cost of transmission and distribution upgrades and manage load in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.

Chirreon is projected to be in service by summer 2022. Once operational the Chirreon facility will produce more than 30,000 megawatt-hours of energy each year, or enough to power about 3,000 average residential homes in the Trico service territory.