Seasonal, meter-by-meter loads
A center-pivot well might pull heavy power from May through September and almost nothing in winter. The shop, house and livestock water run year-round. Because net metering links a system to one meter, we look at each meter separately and usually place solar on the one with the steadiest large load.
Irrigation accounts sometimes carry demand or horsepower-based charges. Solar lowers kWh purchased but may not move those charges much, so read the whole rate, not just the energy line.
Co-op territory: rules differ by utility
Most Colorado farms are served by rural electric cooperatives. State law requires co-ops to offer net metering for commercial systems of at least 25 kW, with monthly carry-forward credits and an annual settlement of excess, but each co-op sets details such as system limits, fees and how excess is valued. Black Hills Energy has offered a production incentive for 25–250 kW commercial systems under its 2023–2026 plan; check the current status if you’re in its territory.
Before sizing, we get the specific tariff from your co-op. That single document often decides whether the project works.
Ground mounts, hail and livestock
Ground mounts avoid old barn and shop roofs, can be tilted steeper to shed snow, and are easy to service. We fence arrays where livestock graze and plan trench routes around fields, pivots and ditches. Plains hail is a real design consideration, and module hail ratings and insurance coverage deserve a look.
Funding: REAP and federal credits, as of September 2026
USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program grant funding was paused after its funding notice was rescinded effective April 15, 2026, while REAP guaranteed loans remained available. Rules around ground-mount systems over 50 kW have also tightened. Check the current status with your USDA Rural Development office before counting on a grant.
For a taxable farm business, §48E generally requires a solar system to be placed in service by December 31, 2027, and 100% bonus depreciation has been restored. Your CPA should confirm how both apply to your operation.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Can one solar array cover all the meters on my farm?
Usually not under ordinary net metering, which ties a system to one meter. We typically pick the meter with the largest year-round load or build separate systems. Ask your co-op whether it offers any aggregation option.
Is a REAP grant available right now?
As of September 2026, REAP grants were paused pending a rule rewrite, though guaranteed loans were open. Check with USDA Rural Development for the current status before planning around a grant.
My irrigation only runs in summer. Does solar still pay?
It can, since summer pumping lines up with peak solar. How winter production is credited depends on your co-op’s net-metering rules, so we model the full year with your actual bills.
Will a ground mount take up usable farmland?
A typical farm-sized array takes a modest footprint. We site it on corners, near the shop or on non-irrigated ground where possible, with trenching planned around fields and ditches.
Do you do off-grid systems for remote stock wells?
No. We build grid-tied systems, with batteries where they make sense. For a remote off-grid pump, you’d want a specialist in stand-alone systems.