10 kW DC is smaller than it sounds
Most Colorado utilities cap residential net metering in AC terms — the inverter’s output. GVP caps it at 10 kW DC, the panels’ nameplate. That’s roughly 25 modern panels, and it usually covers a Grand Valley home, but homes with EVs, pools or electric heat may hit it. We design to the DC cap exactly and use a battery, not extra panels, if you need more.
The Level 1 interconnection fee for systems up to 25 kW is $350.
The April buyback and time-period banks
On GVP’s time-of-use tariffs, banked kWh stay in the period they were generated — midday credit doesn’t cross into on-peak. Under the revised tariff GVP buys back all accrued kWh at the end of the April cycle at the average wholesale cost for that period and resets the bank. GVP’s own pages differ on whether that started in 2026 or starts in 2027, so check with GVP before you count on either.
Either way, the lesson is the same: size to what you use, not to what you could export.
The cheapest overnight EV charging in the valley
GVP’s EV-TOU/D rate prices the 11 p.m.–7 a.m. window at $0.05475/kWh. Charging 300 kWh a month in that window costs about $16 in energy. The trade-off is a higher on-peak price ($0.205) from 4 to 9 p.m. every day and a $1/kW demand charge on your highest 5 minutes — so set the charger to start at 11.
GVP rules for businesses, farms and nonprofits
Grand Valley Power net-meters commercial and industrial systems up to 25 kW DC or 120% of the location's annual consumption, with total capacity not exceeding 100 kW. Under the tariff effective April 1, 2026, monthly surplus banks to the next month and GVP purchases the entire accrued bank each March 31 at buyback rates tied to its wholesale cost — so credits no longer carry indefinitely. Commercial demand charges run from $5.57/kW (small three-phase) to $20.42/kW (large power, 50–500 kW). GVP has restructured rates explicitly because rooftop solar is eroding kWh sales, and offers no solar rebate.
Demand charges are the part of a commercial bill panels alone don't reliably cut, which is why our commercial proposals in GVP territory usually model a peak-shaving battery alongside the array. County-by-county detail is on our commercial pages.
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.
EV time-of-use rate (EV-TOU/D)
OpenA whole-home time-of-use rate with an 11 p.m.–7 a.m. EV window at $0.05475/kWh.
- EV-TOU/D: $33.00/month; on-peak $0.20500/kWh; off-peak $0.09650/kWh; EV charging window 11 p.m.–7 a.m. $0.05475/kWh; $1.00/kW demand.(source)
FAQ
Questions we hear
What’s the largest solar system GVP allows on a home?
10 kW DC under Rate GEN-1 — measured by panel nameplate, not inverter output.
Who supplies Grand Valley Power’s electricity?
Xcel Energy supplies GVP’s wholesale power today. GVP has announced a future change of supplier; check GVP for the timing.
What does it cost to apply to interconnect with GVP?
$350 for a Level 1 (inverter-based, up to 25 kW) application under GVP’s 2026 tariff.
Is GVP’s EV rate worth switching to?
If you can charge between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and keep heavy use out of 4–9 p.m., often yes: the EV window is $0.05475/kWh. We can compare it to your current bill.