A worked example (check your own numbers)
Holy Cross pays on enrolled kW, not kWh. As an illustration only: if a battery enrolled 10 kW, the upfront payment would be $5,000 and the monthly credit $106, or about $6,360 over five years — around $11,360 in total against a roughly $19,000 Powerwall 3. How many kW your system can enroll depends on the equipment and the enrollment level you choose, so we confirm that with Holy Cross before quoting.
Add Colorado’s 10% battery income-tax credit (tax years through 2026) and the sales-tax exemption for batteries, and the net cost of backup power here drops well below what Front Range homeowners pay.
What you give up
Holy Cross can discharge your battery during peak events, typically 4–9 p.m. for 2–3 hours, targeting no more than 100 event hours a year, and always leaves at least 20% charge. It may also charge your battery from the grid during midday renewable surpluses. You can’t combine Power+FLEX with the Time of Use rate or Peak Time Payback.
If you’d rather control the battery yourself, the Time of Use path pays $250/kW or $100/kWh (whichever is less, up to $12,500) and lets you arbitrage a 24.5¢ vs 6.5¢ spread.
Backup in long-outage country
Mountain outages from wind, heavy snow and wildfire risk can run long, and many homes here rely on wells and electric heat. We size for the loads that matter — well pump, boiler or furnace controls, refrigeration — and pair with solar so the battery refills the next day.
Utility type
Electric cooperative
How exports are credited
Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits
System size limit
≤200% of the previous 12 months’ consumption
Net metering, in plain English
Net-metered systems may be sized to supply up to 200% of the account’s previous 12 months of consumption. Generation and consumption are compared monthly and excess energy sent to the grid is credited. New net-metered solar applications from April 1, 2026 receive a flat $100/kW incentive, up to 25 kW.
Time-of-use: Optional Time of Use rate (residential and small commercial): $0.245/kWh on-peak from 4 to 9 p.m. seven days a week, $0.065/kWh at all other times, with no separate demand charge; 90-day trial, then a one-year minimum. The standard small-residential rate carries a $1.00/kW demand charge on the highest 15-minute average of the month.
Sources & dated facts
- State statute C.R.S. 40-9.5-118 sets the co-op minimum: net metering for home systems to at least 10 kW and business systems to at least 25 kW, monthly one-for-one kWh carryforward, and an annual settlement of leftover credits within 60 days.As of Sep 23, 2026
- Holy Cross net-metered generation must be sized to supply annually no more than 200% of the account’s previous 12 months’ consumption.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- From April 1, 2026, all new solar net-metered interconnection applications receive a flat incentive of $100 per kW, up to 25 kW; applications approved by March 31, 2026 had an incentive extension that expired Aug. 31, 2026.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- Holy Cross caps incentives at $30,000 per member for renewable generation and $15,000 for batteries, and reduces payments so they do not exceed 40% of installed cost.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- Interconnection study fee: $100 for systems 12–100 kW, $250 over 100 kW. Systems must be installed within 120 days of reservation to keep incentive eligibility.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
FAQ
Questions we hear
Which batteries qualify for Holy Cross Power+FLEX?
Holy Cross lists Emporia (SolaX Xpower), Enphase, FranklinWH, Savant Power and Tesla. Of the brands we install, the Tesla Powerwall 3 and Enphase IQ Battery qualify; SigEnergy isn’t listed as of September 2026.
How often will Holy Cross use my battery?
Peak events typically run 2–3 hours between 4 and 9 p.m., with a target of no more than 100 event hours a year, and the battery keeps at least 20% charge. Oversupply charging events run 11 a.m.–4 p.m. on about 30 days a year.
Can I get both the Power+FLEX payments and Time of Use rate?
No. Holy Cross doesn’t allow Power+FLEX members on the Time of Use rate, Power+ or Peak Time Payback at the same time. The Time of Use path has its own, smaller battery incentive.
Is there a cap on Holy Cross battery incentives?
Yes: $15,000 per member for batteries, and incentives can’t exceed 40% of installed cost. The Power+FLEX upfront payment itself tops out at $12,500.
Do I have to pay upfront?
Yes. Holy Cross says members pay the installer directly, with no on-bill financing for batteries; the rebate and credits come after enrollment. We offer loan options if you’d rather spread the cost.