Planned shutoffs: what a battery really covers
Public-safety power shutoffs come with notice and can last 24 to 72 hours or more. A single battery can typically carry a refrigerator, furnace blower, lights, internet and medical devices through a night; getting through three days, especially in winter, usually takes solar to recharge during the day, a second battery, or careful load choices.
We size for the loads you name — a well pump, a CPAP, a sump — and show estimated hours, not a vague promise of whole-home backup.
Xcel customers vs. CORE members
On Xcel’s side, a battery earns money every weekday between 5 and 9 pm by covering on-peak usage, and Xcel’s Renewable Battery Connect program has offered upfront incentives in exchange for limited event dispatch. That pairs a financial return with backup.
CORE members in the foothills and mountain areas have different math: CORE net-meters home systems only up to 10 kW AC, and exports from larger systems earn its avoided cost of about 4.6 cents per kWh. There, a battery’s financial job is holding onto solar you would otherwise export for little. Ask CORE about any current battery program before you buy.
Permitting and incentives
The county’s solar page covers photovoltaic permits but doesn’t address battery storage, so we confirm storage requirements with Jefferson County Building Safety for each unincorporated job. Cities follow their own rules; Wheat Ridge’s SolarAPP+ process can include storage.
As of September 2026, Colorado’s 10% battery income-tax credit applies through tax year 2026, and batteries are exempt from state sales tax. Verify current terms.
FAQ
Questions we hear
How long will a battery last during an Xcel wildfire shutoff?
It depends on your loads and the weather. With essentials only, a single 13.5 kWh battery often lasts overnight; with solar recharging on sunny days, backup can stretch much longer. Our blackout-runtime calculator shows estimates for your loads.
Is a battery worth it for CORE members in Evergreen?
Often, for two reasons: backup in a wildfire-prone area, and holding onto solar that would otherwise earn only CORE’s avoided-cost credit if your system is larger than 10 kW AC.
Can I get a battery without solar in Jefferson County?
Yes, it can charge from the grid, but it can’t recharge during a multi-day outage. Most foothills clients who want resilience pair it with solar.
Battery or generator for a mountain home?
Batteries are silent and fuel-free and switch over instantly; generators can run longer in cloudy weather if you have fuel. Some foothills households choose both. We install batteries, not generators.
Does Jefferson County require a separate permit for a battery?
The county’s solar page doesn’t spell out storage requirements, so we confirm them with Building Safety for each project. Inside cities, the city’s rules apply.