Colorado utility guide

Solar & batteries with Empire Electric Association

Empire Electric Association gives net-metered members a real choice. By default, surplus kWh carry forward and any balance is trued up after April 30 at the co-op’s average supplier energy cost — $0.03619/kWh per its current FAQ. Or you can make a one-time election to roll credits over indefinitely, with nothing paid out when service ends. Homes are capped at 10 kW AC and 120% of average annual use.

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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

10 kW AC residential / 25 kW AC commercial, and ≤120% of average annual use

Net metering, in plain English

Tariff sheet 16A (effective 11/01/2022): residential up to 10 kW AC, commercial up to 25 kW AC, production no more than 120% of average annual use. Members stay on their otherwise-applicable rate, including demand and supplier standby charges. Option 1: monthly carryforward with an annual true-up on April 30, paid within 60 days at the supplier’s average energy cost over the prior 12 months. Option 2: one-time election for indefinite rollover, no payout at termination. DER application fee $200.

Time-of-use: As of 2/1/2026: All Energy rate $45.00/month grid access plus $0.09452/kWh and a $0.02026/kWh power cost adjustment. Optional Time of Use + Demand: $32.40/month, $0.17027/kWh on-peak (1–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday), $0.04185/kWh off-peak, $2.74/kW distribution demand, plus the same adjustment.

Sources & dated facts

State statute C.R.S. 40-9.5-118 sets the co-op minimum: net metering for home systems to at least 10 kW and business systems to at least 25 kW, monthly one-for-one kWh carryforward, and an annual settlement of leftover credits within 60 days.As of Sep 23, 2026
EEA tariff sheet 16A: 10 kW AC residential / 25 kW AC commercial, ≤120% of average annual use; annual true-up April 30 paid within 60 days at the supplier’s average energy cost, or a one-time election for indefinite rollover.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
EEA’s FAQ gives the current true-up rate as $0.03619/kWh, paid once each spring, and notes net-meter members pay a Grid Access Charge and a Distribution Demand Charge.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
Distributed Energy Resource application fee $200; re-application $60 (tariff sheet 17).As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
EEA serves Montezuma, Dolores and San Miguel counties in Colorado plus Monticello and nearby San Juan County, Utah; towns include Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Dove Creek and Towaoc.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
EEA filed a 4.72% revenue increase effective Jan. 1, 2027.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source

Rollover or true-up?

Empire’s default settles your bank after April 30 at about 3.6¢/kWh. The alternative, indefinite rollover, keeps every surplus kWh worth a full retail offset for as long as you stay — but you give up any payout if you move or close the account. For a home that will stay in the family and sometimes over-produces, rollover is often the better deal; for one you might sell, it’s worth thinking twice.

Either way, Empire caps production at 120% of your average annual use, and net-metered members keep paying the grid access and distribution demand charges.

Time of use with a long window

Empire’s optional Time of Use + Demand rate has an unusually long on-peak window — 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday — at $0.17027/kWh, against $0.04185 off-peak. Because it starts at 1 p.m., solar covers much of it on sunny days, and a battery handles the evening. The $2.74/kW distribution demand charge is the part to manage.

Four Corners sun, rising rates

Montezuma and Dolores counties get excellent sun, and Empire has filed a 4.72% increase for January 2027. Owned systems finished after 2025 don’t get the federal credit, so we price leases and PPAs alongside purchases for Cortez-area homes.

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.

EV charger and installation rebate

Open

Available to residential and commercial members with pre-qualification and a site visit; amount not published.

Program page

FAQ

Questions we hear

What is Empire Electric’s solar true-up rate?

Its FAQ lists $0.03619/kWh, paid once each spring for members on the default annual true-up.

What happens to my credits if I choose indefinite rollover?

They carry forward month to month and year to year, but nothing is paid out if you end service.

How big can my Empire Electric solar system be?

Up to 10 kW AC for homes, and no more than 120% of your average annual use.

What does it cost to apply?

Empire’s Distributed Energy Resource application fee is $200.

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.

Start my free estimate Call 720-370-8056