Holy Cross or Xcel
Holy Cross Energy serves Vail, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum and most of the Eagle and Roaring Fork valleys in the county, including the Basalt area. Xcel serves Minturn and Red Cliff. Check your bill if you’re near either town.
Holy Cross allows net-metered generation up to 200% of the previous 12 months of use and, since April 1, 2026, pays $100 per kW on new solar up to 25 kW. Xcel customers are on its statewide programs and time-of-use structure.
The Exterior Energy Offset Program
In unincorporated Eagle County, the Exterior Energy Offset Program requires energy used by outdoor features — snowmelt driveways and patios, pools, spas and hot tubs over 64 square feet, and heat tape — to be offset by on-site solar, battery storage, a fee-in-lieu, or a combination. The fee phases in at 25% in 2025, 50% in 2026, 75% in 2027 and 100% in 2028.
Recent amendments added a 200-square-foot snowmelt exemption and a refund for owners who install solar or batteries within a year after construction. If you’re building or remodeling with snowmelt, it’s usually worth pricing on-site solar against the fee before you pay it.
Permits and land use
Eagle County requires a separate solar permit. Solar energy systems are allowed by right in all zone districts except Backcountry, where they’re a special use, and systems over 80 kW need a special use permit. The county’s ECObuild code for new homes awards points for on-site solar PV.
Vail, Avon, Eagle, Gypsum, Minturn, Red Cliff and Basalt permit within their own limits, often with design review that affects where panels can sit.
Snow, shade and steep roofs
Snow loads in Vail and the upper valley are among the highest we design for, and snow shedding off panels onto walkways and decks has to be planned. Valley walls can steal hours of winter sun, so a roof with great summer exposure may produce far less from November to February. We run a shade analysis on every site.
Cold, clear high-altitude air helps panel efficiency, and snow on a steep roof slides off panels quickly — so winter losses are often smaller than people expect once the storm clears.
Rebates & programs
Programs change often. Status shown is what we could confirm on the date listed — always check with the program before you count on it.
Eagle County Exterior Energy Offset Program (EEOP)
OpenRequires offsetting exterior energy uses (snowmelt, pools/spas over 64 sq ft, heat tape) with on-site solar, battery storage, fee-in-lieu or a combination; fee phased 25%/50%/75%/100% for 2025–2028; 200 sq ft snowmelt exemption; refund for solar/battery installed within a year after construction.
- Fee-in-lieu phase-in: 25% (2025), 50% (2026), 75% (2027), 100% (2028).(source)
Holy Cross Energy Power+FLEX battery program
Open$500 per enrolled kW up to $12,500 with enrollment in the Distribution Flexibility Program tariff; alternative TOU path pays the lesser of $250/kW or $100/kWh, capped at $12,500.
- Power+FLEX: $500/kW enrolled, up to $12,500.(source)
Holy Cross Energy solar incentive
OpenFlat $100/kW for new net-metered solar applications from April 1, 2026, up to 25 kW.
- $100/kW up to 25 kW, effective 2026-04-01.(source)
FAQ
Questions we hear
Does my snowmelt driveway require solar in Eagle County?
In unincorporated Eagle County, the Exterior Energy Offset Program requires outdoor energy uses like snowmelt to be offset by on-site solar, battery storage, a fee-in-lieu, or a combination. A 200-square-foot snowmelt exemption applies.
How much is the EEOP fee in 2026?
The fee-in-lieu is phased: 50% of the full fee in 2026, rising to 75% in 2027 and 100% in 2028. Use the county’s EEOP calculator for your project.
Is Minturn on Holy Cross or Xcel?
Minturn and Red Cliff are served by Xcel; most of the rest of the county is Holy Cross.
Can I put solar on a Backcountry-zoned parcel?
Solar is a special use in the Backcountry district, so it needs special use approval there; elsewhere it’s allowed by right.
Will snow bury my panels all winter in Vail?
Usually not. Snow slides off tilted panels quickly once the sun returns. The bigger winter issue is low sun behind valley walls, which a shade analysis quantifies.
Does Eagle County need a special permit for a large array?
Systems over 80 kW require a special use permit. Typical homes are far below that.