Match production to your load
Breweries, labs, light manufacturing and offices that run during the day can consume most of what a rooftop array produces, which is where a time-of-day export credit hurts least. Warehouses with big roofs and small loads are the opposite case — lots of production, little on-site use, and more energy exported at lower value.
Many commercial rate classes also include demand charges based on your peak draw. Solar alone doesn’t reliably cut a demand peak on a cloudy afternoon; storage can. We look at both before recommending either.
Federal and tax treatment, as of September 2026
Commercial solar can still claim the §48E credit if it begins construction by July 4, 2026 under the continuity safe harbor, or is otherwise placed in service by December 31, 2027. A federal court vacated one of the IRS’s safe-harbor notices in June 2026, and appeal status is unclear — consult your tax advisor before relying on a start-of-construction position. 100% bonus depreciation was restored for property placed in service after January 19, 2025.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Can a Fort Collins business get the city’s solar rebate?
The rebates on this page are Fort Collins Utilities’ residential program. Ask the utility about current commercial offerings; we won’t quote a commercial incentive we haven’t verified.
Does commercial solar reduce demand charges?
Sometimes, but not reliably. A cloud at the wrong moment can set your monthly peak anyway. Pairing solar with storage that’s programmed to shave peaks is usually how demand charges come down.
How fast do we need to move to keep federal credits?
For solar under §48E, placed in service by December 31, 2027 is the key date unless construction began by July 4, 2026. Storage keeps its credit much longer. Confirm your situation with a tax professional.