What was approved
As reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette and Colorado Public Radio, new solar customers choose one of two structures. Option one: a $1-per-day charge with time-of-use pricing, a 5–9 p.m. weekday peak, and exports credited in dollars at the rate in effect when they happen. Option two: a demand charge based on the customer’s highest 15-minute usage in the prior month, with exports credited kilowatt-hour for kilowatt-hour.
Reporting put the added cost for a typical new solar customer at $30 or more per month compared with the old structure. Existing solar customers — more than 11,000 of them — keep their current arrangement for about five years. The same meeting approved a small general rate decrease, about $1.50 a month, effective October 1, 2026.
The question that decides everything: the cutoff date
When the new structure starts applying to new installations, and exactly what a system must have done by then to count as existing — applied, been approved, or been interconnected — was not confirmed as of September 23, 2026. Don’t rely on a salesperson’s version of that date, including ours. Get it from Colorado Springs Utilities in writing.
If there is a meaningful window, a system that makes it in could keep the old credits during the grace period. If the window is short, it may not be possible to design, permit through Pikes Peak Regional Building and interconnect in time, and rushing a job to beat a deadline you might miss is a poor reason to buy.
Why batteries matter more under the new rules
Both new options reward controlling when you use grid power. Under the time-of-use option, a battery can cover the 5–9 p.m. peak with stored solar. Under the demand option, a battery can shave the 15-minute spikes that set the charge. Reporting also mentioned a planned Colorado Springs Utilities battery program around March 2027; details weren’t public when we wrote this.
Solar without storage still works under the new rules, but the payback is longer. We’ll model both structures for your home so you can see which option — and whether a battery — fits.
What to do next
- 1Ask Colorado Springs Utilities, in writing, what date and milestone decides whether a new system falls under the old or new rules.
- 2Use the Springs net-metering calculator to compare old vs. new structures for your usage.
- 3If the window is realistic, get a design and permit application started now.
- 4If not, have us model solar plus battery under both new options before you decide.
FAQ
Questions we hear
I already have solar in Colorado Springs. Does this change affect me?
Reporting on the September 22 vote says existing solar customers get about a five-year grace period on their current terms. Confirm the details for your account with Colorado Springs Utilities, especially if you plan to expand your system.
Which new option is better — the daily fee or the demand charge?
It depends on your usage pattern. Homes with steady usage and a battery may do fine under the demand option; homes that export a lot midday may prefer time-of-use. We model both.
Should I rush to install before the change?
Only if the cutoff date and qualifying milestone are confirmed and the timeline is realistic. Designing, permitting and interconnecting in a rush risks missing the date anyway.
Does Colorado Springs Utilities offer a solar rebate?
We haven’t confirmed a current solar rebate, so we don’t count one in our estimates. Ask the utility directly.
Does this affect Mountain View Electric customers east of the city?
No — this is Colorado Springs Utilities’ decision. If your address is served by Mountain View Electric Association, its own rules apply. Check which utility serves your address.