Avoid charging from 5 to 9 pm on weekdays
On Xcel’s default time-of-use rate, plugging in when you get home from work puts your car’s biggest load in the most expensive four hours of the day. Every charger we install can be scheduled, and most cars can too. Set it once and your charging shifts to off-peak hours.
If you work from home and the car sits in the driveway during the day, charging from your own solar at midday is the cheapest fuel you can buy. That’s also a reason to size a new solar system for the EV you’re about to own.
Rebates and credits in 2026
The federal §30C credit for home chargers ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026. Xcel has offered a rebate toward charger wiring when you enroll in one of its EV charging programs, with a higher amount for income-qualified homes; we confirm the current amount and enrollment rules before you buy. Some cities, like Golden, have run their own charger rebates.
When the car becomes the backup
An EV battery is often several times the size of a home battery. With a compatible vehicle and a bidirectional charger — we install SigEnergy’s bidirectional DC charger — the car can power the house through a shutoff. It isn’t right for everyone: it depends on your vehicle’s support for bidirectional use and whether the car will be home when the grid goes down.
Utility type
Investor-owned utility
How exports are credited
Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits
System size limit
State statute allows up to 200% of expected annual use; Xcel’s installer FAQ cites 120% of prior 12-month use — confirm against the current tariff.
Net metering, in plain English
Xcel is an investor-owned utility, so Colorado’s full net-metering statute (C.R.S. 40-2-124) applies. Excess solar becomes a credit that carries forward month to month with no expiration, and once a year you can ask Xcel to cash out accumulated credits at its average hourly incremental cost — a rate well below what you pay — or leave them banked. Because the cash-out rate is low, a system sized close to your annual use earns more than an oversized one.
Time-of-use: Since November 1, 2025, time-of-use is the default for Xcel residential customers with smart meters (you can opt out to a flat rate). On-peak runs 5–9 pm on non-holiday weekdays all year, with a June–September summer season, and on-peak energy costs about 2.7 times off-peak. Check your bill for the exact cents per kWh.
Sources & dated facts
- C.R.S. 40-2-124 applies to investor-owned utilities: credits carry forward indefinitely; an optional year-end cash-out is paid at the utility’s average hourly incremental cost.As of Sep 23, 2026
- Wildfire public safety power shutoffs: about 50,000 customers in December 2025 (Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld counties); about 18,000 on 2026-03-14 (mostly Boulder County).As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
FAQ
Questions we hear
When is the cheapest time to charge an EV on Xcel?
Outside the 5–9 pm weekday on-peak window. Overnight charging is the simple default; midday charging from your own solar is even cheaper if the car is home.
Is there still a tax credit for a home EV charger?
Not federally. The §30C credit ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026. Check Xcel and your city for current rebates.
Do I need a panel upgrade for a Level 2 charger?
Many homes don’t. A 200-amp panel with room usually handles a 40- to 48-amp charger. Older 100-amp services may need a load calculation, a load-managed charger, or an upgrade — we check before quoting.
Can my EV power my house during an Xcel shutoff?
With a compatible car, a bidirectional charger and the right transfer equipment, yes. Systems start around $19,000. We confirm your vehicle supports it before recommending it.