Size to the 10 kW AC cap, then stop
We look at your last 12 months of CORE usage, then design an array that offsets most of it without crossing 10 kW AC. For most CORE homes that’s plenty: at Colorado’s sun, a 10 kW array produces well beyond what a typical house uses. At $2.80–$3.25 per watt, a system that size runs roughly $28,000–$32,500.
If you plan to add an EV or heat pump in the next couple of years, tell us now — we’d rather size once, inside the cap, than have you add panels later and push the system past 10 kW.
Why self-consumption matters more on CORE
Within a year, exported kWh offset imported kWh one-for-one. The catch is April: whatever credit is left after the April billing cycle is paid at $0.04616/kWh (as of May 2026) instead of the roughly 11.6¢ you pay for energy. Homes that over-produce in summer and don’t use it by spring leave money on the table.
Running the dishwasher, laundry and EV charging during daylight is the cheapest improvement you can make. A battery is the more expensive one, and on CORE it earns its keep mainly against the 4–8 p.m. demand charge.
Foothills homes: snow, pines and fire country
Many CORE members live in the foothills west and southwest of Denver — Evergreen is one example — where tall pines shade roofs and snow sits longer on north pitches. We run a shading analysis before quoting, and we’ll tell you if a ground mount on a sunnier part of the lot beats the roof.
Utility type
Electric cooperative
Wholesale: Several long-term suppliers (its Xcel Energy supply contract ended after 2025)
How exports are credited
Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits
System size limit
10 kW AC residential (25 kW commercial) and ≤200% of annual usage
Net metering, in plain English
Residential systems 10 kW AC or smaller whose expected production is no more than 200% of the past 12 months’ usage are net-metered: generation offsets CORE-supplied energy kWh-for-kWh, surplus rolls forward, and an annual true-up within 60 days of the end of the April billing cycle pays leftover credits at avoided cost. Systems larger than 10 kW are not net-metered; their exports are credited monthly at avoided cost.
Time-of-use: CORE’s standard residential rate (as of 1/1/2026) is a $20.00 monthly service charge, $0.1155/kWh, and an on-peak demand charge of $5.47/kW based on your highest 60-minute use between 4 and 8 p.m. An optional time-of-use rate (AT) charges $0.2705/kWh on-peak and $0.08558/kWh off-peak plus a $5.47/kW basic demand charge.
Sources & dated facts
- Colorado law (C.R.S. 40-9.5-118) requires every electric co-op to offer net metering to systems of at least 10 kW residential and 25 kW commercial, carry excess kWh forward month to month one-for-one, and credit any annual excess within 60 days.As of Sep 23, 2026
- CORE net metering is available to residential systems of 10 kW (AC) or less whose proposed annual production does not exceed 200% of the member’s 12-month usage.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- CORE’s avoided-cost rate was $0.04473/kWh through April 2026 and is $0.04616/kWh as of May 2026; it is recalculated annually.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- CORE performs the annual true-up within 60 days of the end of the April billing cycle, crediting excess generation at avoided cost.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- Residential systems over 10 kW are not net-metered but receive a monthly credit at avoided cost for kWh delivered to CORE.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- Interconnection applications are submitted through CORE’s PowerClerk portal; battery systems follow the same Level 1 (≤25 kW) procedures.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- Nearly 9,000 CORE members had rooftop solar interconnected at the end of 2023, totaling more than 52 MW.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
FAQ
Questions we hear
What happens if my CORE solar system is bigger than 10 kW?
It isn’t net-metered at all. CORE credits every kWh a residential system over 10 kW sends to the grid at its avoided cost, $0.04616/kWh as of May 2026, on a monthly basis. For most homes that makes staying at or under 10 kW AC the better deal.
When does CORE settle my unused solar credits?
Once a year. CORE runs the true-up within 60 days of the end of the April billing cycle and pays any remaining kWh at avoided cost. Credits don’t carry into the next year.
Will solar lower my CORE demand charge?
Rarely by much. CORE’s residential demand charge ($5.47/kW as of 2026) is based on your highest hour between 4 and 8 p.m., when rooftop solar output is falling or gone. A battery set to cover that window is what lowers it.
Does CORE offer a rebate for rooftop solar?
We didn’t find a CORE rooftop solar rebate on its website as of September 2026, and the federal homeowner credit ended for systems finished after 2025. Colorado still exempts solar equipment from state sales tax. Check with CORE for anything new.