Solar & batteries with City of Aspen Electric Utility

Aspen Electric serves a defined area in and around the city; much of the surrounding valley, and parts of town, are on Holy Cross Energy. The rules below apply only inside the Aspen Electric service area. Holy Cross has its own battery program and solar rules, covered on its own page.

Aspen Electric limits annual solar generation to 100% of the premises’ three-year average use — tighter than the 120% or 200% caps common elsewhere in Colorado. Using a three-year average smooths out a single unusual year, but it also means planned loads like a new EV or heat pump won’t count until they show up in your history. We size to the cap, not over it.

Every system needs two meter sockets: one for the city’s net meter and one for a production meter, both owned by the city. The production meter has to be within 10 feet and in line of sight of the utility meter, with inverter output wired to its load-side terminals. On older homes or tight exterior walls, finding space for that layout can drive the design.

Solar with storage uses a separate interconnection agreement, and the battery’s nameplate size, discharge capacity and number of units go on the application at permit time. Tell us up front if you want storage, even later — it’s easier to plan the equipment layout once.

Aspen Electric serves about 2,900 accounts — below the 5,000-customer threshold at which Colorado requires municipal net metering — and offers it by policy under its Solar PV Application and Agreement: a system's generation may not exceed 100% of the premises' three-year average use, production is separately metered, and insurance certificates and the interconnection agreement are approved before the net meter is set. Commercial rates rose 7.2% (small) and 8.6% (large) in 2026 and the Electric Community Investment Fee went up 15–20%; demand-charge figures are set in the municipal rate ordinance and were not retrievable. Aspen's REMP-funded rebate program has covered commercial and multifamily solar and efficiency measures — confirm current terms with the city.

Commercial incentive: City of Aspen / REMP rebate program has included commercial and multifamily solar PV — verify current eligibility and caps.

Demand charges are the part of a commercial bill panels alone don't reliably cut, which is why our commercial proposals in Aspen Electric territory usually model a peak-shaving battery alongside the array. County-by-county detail is on our commercial pages.