Two options, two battery strategies
On the time-of-use option, the battery stores midday solar you’d otherwise export for a dollar-valued credit and uses it during the evening peak. On the demand-charge option, the battery watches your load and discharges when several big appliances run at once, capping the monthly peak that sets the charge.
We program the battery for whichever option you choose, and the choice itself should be made with the battery in the picture.
Buy now or wait for CSU’s program?
CSU said it plans a battery program around March 2027, but no incentive has been published. Colorado’s 10% state income-tax credit for home batteries applies only to tax years through 2026. For many buyers, a certain 10% now beats an unknown utility incentive later — but if you don’t have state tax liability to use the credit, waiting may cost you less.
Backup in the Springs
CSU is a municipal utility and isn’t part of the Xcel wildfire shutoffs that hit Boulder and Jefferson counties, but west-side homes near the foothills still face wildfire and wind-driven outages. A single battery keeps a refrigerator, furnace blower, lights and internet going for many hours; whole-home backup with air conditioning takes more.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Can a battery cut CSU’s new demand charge?
Yes, that’s one of its best uses. By discharging when your load spikes, a battery lowers the 15-minute peak the demand charge is based on.
Does CSU offer a battery rebate now?
Not that we could confirm. CSU described a battery program planned for around March 2027 without published incentives.
Can I add a battery to my existing Springs solar system?
Often yes, if the existing inverter and panel allow it. We don’t service other companies’ systems, but we can assess whether a new battery can be added alongside yours.
Which battery is best for the demand-charge option?
Any of the three we install — Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery or SigEnergy — can peak-shave; the right one depends on your peak size and how much backup you want.