Colorado utility guide

Solar & batteries with San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative

The San Luis Valley has some of the best sun in Colorado, but on San Luis Valley REC, solar only offsets the energy portion of your bill. The 2026 residential rate carries a $42.86 monthly customer charge and a $3.25/kW demand charge on your highest 15 minutes, neither of which net metering touches. Solar sized to your usage still cuts the $0.104/kWh energy charge; just set expectations around a smaller bill, not a zero one.

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Utility type

Electric cooperative

Wholesale: Tri-State Generation and Transmission

How exports are credited

Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits

System size limit

Per 2019 guideline: greater of 10 kW or 120% of usage, up to 25 kW (verify)

Net metering, in plain English

Net metering offsets the energy charge only, not the customer or demand charge. SLV REC’s posted net-metering guideline (2019 packet) describes a residential cap of the greater of 10 kW or 120% of prior-year usage up to 25 kW, kWh carryforward, and an annual April 30 buyback at average wholesale power cost; confirm current terms with the co-op. Systems over 25 kW need a special application under the 2026 terms and conditions.

Time-of-use: Schedule A (effective 1/1/2026): $42.86/month, $3.25/kW demand on the highest 15-minute interval, $0.104/kWh plus power cost adjustment. Time-of-day: same customer and demand charges, $0.228/kWh on-peak (4–9 p.m. every day), $0.074/kWh off-peak.

Sources & dated facts

Under C.R.S. 40-9.5-118, a Colorado co-op must net-meter residential systems up to at least 10 kW (25 kW for businesses), roll monthly surplus kWh forward at a one-to-one ratio, and settle the year-end surplus within 60 days.As of Sep 23, 2026
Net metering offsets only the energy charge, not the customer charge or demand charge.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
SLV REC serves Rio Grande, Costilla, Saguache, Alamosa, Conejos, Mineral and Hinsdale counties, and is a Tri-State member.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source

What solar can and can’t offset here

SLV REC’s own bill guide is explicit: net metering offsets the energy charge only. On the 2026 residential rate that’s $0.104/kWh plus the power cost adjustment. The $42.86 customer charge and the $3.25/kW demand charge on your highest 15 minutes stay.

For a home using 800 kWh a month, fully offsetting energy saves on the order of $80–$90 a month before the adjustment — real money, and worth modeling against a $2.80–$3.25/W system price.

Valley permitting and farm-scale projects

Alamosa County is one of the few Colorado jurisdictions using SolarAPP+ for full automated permit review, which can shorten the wait for a residential permit there. Across the valley, open land makes ground mounts easy, and cold, clear, high-altitude air is good for panel output.

Irrigation pumps and farm shops often have big daytime loads. Above 25 kW, SLV REC requires a special application, so larger agricultural projects start with a conversation with the co-op.

Demand charges and batteries

A $3.25/kW demand charge on your highest 15 minutes means a well pump, dryer and range running together can add $25–$35 to a month. A battery that covers those spikes can trim it, but savings alone rarely justify one here; backup for wells and livestock water is the stronger reason.

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.

Solar, battery and EV charger rebates

Status unconfirmed

None listed as of September 2026; SLV REC’s rebates cover motors, drives, appliances, commercial LEDs and air conditioners.

SLV REC Energy Efficiency Credit rebates list motors, variable speed drives, ENERGY STAR appliances, commercial LED lighting and split-system AC; no solar, battery or EV charger rebates.(source)

Program page

FAQ

Questions we hear

Will solar eliminate my SLV REC bill?

No. Net metering only offsets the energy charge; the monthly customer charge and demand charge remain.

Does SLV REC have a solar rebate?

Not as of September 2026. Its rebate list covers efficiency equipment only.

Is permitting faster in Alamosa County?

Alamosa County uses SolarAPP+ for full automated review of qualifying residential solar permits, which usually speeds things up. Other valley jurisdictions have their own process.

What counties does San Luis Valley REC serve?

Rio Grande, Costilla, Saguache, Alamosa, Conejos, Mineral and Hinsdale counties.

Get honest numbers for your roof

Our Colorado crew looks up your utility’s current rules, models your roof, and tells you straight — including when solar or a battery won’t pay off.

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