Xcel Energy Colorado Solar, Net Metering & Rates

What homeowners should know

• A bidirectional net meter records electricity delivered by the grid and excess customer generation returned to the grid.
• Solar-bank options can affect how excess annual generation is carried forward or settled.
• Colorado residential time-of-use on-peak hours are 5-9 p.m. on non-holiday weekdays under the current schedule that began Nov. 1, 2025.
• Solar*Rewards and standard net-metering pathways should not be treated as identical incentive products.

Important: Utility tariffs change. Confirm the current rate schedule, interconnection agreement and export-compensation rules for your exact account before signing a solar proposal.

Colorado electricity and solar context

The state electricity-rate figure is a statewide EIA benchmark, not the utility tariff on your bill. Utility plans can differ because of time-of-use periods, tiers, fixed charges, riders, supply choice and solar-export treatment.

Official Xcel Energy Colorado solar sources

Home Solar Atlas summarizes homeowner-facing rules but treats the utility's current tariff and interconnection documents as the controlling source.

Before you compare installer quotes

• Use 12 months of actual electricity consumption rather than only your average bill.
• Ask the installer which utility rate plan and export-compensation schedule the savings model assumes.
• Separate self-consumed solar value from exported-energy value if the utility uses net billing.
• For time-of-use tariffs, compare when the home imports energy with when solar exports occur.
• Model battery economics separately instead of assuming every exported solar kWh has retail value.