Xcel or CORE: why your address matters
On Xcel, exported solar earns net metering credits that roll forward, and the default residential time-of-use plan makes 5–9 pm weekdays the expensive hours. On CORE, net metering credits settle monthly at 1:1, but excess left over at the annual true-up is credited at CORE’s avoided-cost rate — far below retail. That makes oversizing a system a real mistake in CORE territory.
Utility boundaries don’t follow city limits or ZIP codes neatly in southeast Aurora. We verify your utility by address before sizing, and you can check the name on your current bill.
Permits through the City of Aurora Building Division
Aurora issues its own residential and commercial solar permits through the city Building Division, with electronic submittal through the city’s development portal. Aurora doesn’t use SolarAPP+ full review, so plans go through standard review. The city’s development code allows solar in all zone districts, subject to the usual zoning limits.
HOAs and Colorado’s solar-access law
Many Aurora neighborhoods have homeowners associations. Colorado law (C.R.S. 38-30-168) voids covenants that effectively prohibit solar, and limits HOA restrictions to ones that add no more than 10% to cost and cut performance by no more than 10%. An HOA that doesn’t act on a complete application within 60 days is deemed to have approved it.
In practice, most HOAs approve standard black-framed rooftop arrays. We prepare the submittal package so the review goes quickly.
Plains weather on the east side
Aurora sits on open plains east of Denver, with little terrain shading and wide-open southern exposure on many lots. The trade-off is weather: the eastern metro sees Front Range hail and strong wind events. We design racking and choose panels with that in mind, and we’ll tell you if your roof needs replacing before panels go on.
Homes & roofs here
A wide range from older neighborhoods in north Aurora to newer master-planned subdivisions to the south and east; many newer homes have simple roofs well suited to solar.
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.
Xcel Energy Renewable Battery Connect
OpenUpfront battery incentive for Xcel customers who allow limited grid-event discharges. Not available to CORE members.
CORE Electric Cooperative net metering
OpenMonthly 1:1 carryforward with annual true-up; year-end excess credited at avoided cost.
FAQ
Questions we hear
How do I know if my Aurora home is on Xcel or CORE?
Check the utility name on your electric bill. If you don’t have one yet, we verify by address before designing, because CORE and Xcel reward different system sizes.
Can my Aurora HOA stop me from installing solar?
Not outright. Colorado law voids solar prohibitions in covenants and caps allowed restrictions at 10% added cost or 10% lost performance, and an unanswered application is deemed approved after 60 days.
Where do I get a solar permit in Aurora?
From the City of Aurora Building Division, with electronic submittal through the city’s development portal. We pull permits for our customers.
Does it matter which county my part of Aurora is in?
Not for permits, since the city handles them citywide. It can overlap with which utility serves you, which is what really changes the economics.
Should I size my Aurora solar system to cover 100% of my usage?
On Xcel, often close to it. On CORE, usually less, because year-end surplus is credited at a low avoided-cost rate. We size to your utility’s rules.