Co-op country: LPEA, Empire and San Miguel Power
La Plata Electric Association serves La Plata and Archuleta counties, including Durango, Bayfield and Pagosa Springs. Empire Electric Association serves Montezuma and Dolores counties, including Cortez, Dolores and Mancos. San Miguel Power serves Silverton and parts of Dolores County, and Gunnison County Electric reaches Lake City in Hinsdale County.
Under Colorado’s co-op statute, members are guaranteed net metering for systems of at least 10 kW residential and 25 kW commercial, with monthly carryforward and an annual payout of excess credits. Each co-op sets the details, so we check the current tariff for your project.
LPEA’s battery rebates and power-supply change
LPEA offers a battery rebate of $1,000 for 10–19.9 kWh or $2,000 for 20 kWh or more, plus $500 in designated areas. LPEA also left Tri-State as its wholesale supplier on April 1, 2026, a change that could affect future rates and programs.
Rebate amounts and eligibility can change, so treat these as of September 2026 and confirm with LPEA before you sign.
Wildfire and outage risk
The 416 Fire north of Durango in 2018 showed how fast fire can move through the forested terrain here. Homes along the Animas Valley, around Vallecito and Pagosa Springs, and in the La Plata foothills sit in the wildland–urban interface, often at the end of long distribution lines.
For these homes, a battery that keeps the well pump, furnace blower and refrigerator running is usually the heart of the project. Solar keeps it charged through a multi-day outage when the sun cooperates.
High desert vs mountain siting
Cortez and the Montezuma Valley are open, sunny high desert, where rooftop and ground mounts both have wide sun windows. Durango and Pagosa Springs sit in valleys ringed by mountains and ponderosa forests, so winter shading needs a careful look. Silverton, above 9,000 feet, has deep snow and short winter sun hours.
Large lots are common across the region, and ground mounts often beat roofs on output and ease of snow clearing.
Tribal lands and permitting
The Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute reservations lie within this region. Projects on tribal land may fall under tribal rather than county jurisdiction, and we confirm the right permitting authority and utility before quoting.
Elsewhere, county building departments or town offices handle permits, and many smaller jurisdictions rely on the state electrical board for inspections.
FAQ
Questions we hear
How much is the La Plata Electric battery rebate?
As of September 2026, LPEA lists $1,000 for batteries of 10–19.9 kWh and $2,000 for 20 kWh or more, plus $500 in designated areas. Confirm current terms with LPEA before you rely on it.
Does LPEA leaving Tri-State change anything for solar customers?
It changes where LPEA buys wholesale power, which can affect future rates and programs over time. Net-metering and rebate terms are set by LPEA’s board, so check its current tariffs rather than assuming the old ones.
Is Cortez good for solar?
The Montezuma Valley has open, sunny terrain that suits both rooftop and ground mounts. Payback still depends on your Empire Electric rates and your usage, and we’ll show you honest ranges.
Can solar keep my house running if a fire causes a long outage near Durango?
Solar alone shuts off when the grid goes down. With a battery, it can keep essentials running and recharge during the day. How long depends on battery size, your loads and the weather.
Who issues permits for a home on the Southern Ute reservation?
It depends on the land status of the parcel. Some parcels fall under tribal jurisdiction and others under La Plata or Archuleta County. We confirm this before designing anything.