Colorado utility guide

Solar & batteries with Gunnison County Electric Association

Gunnison County Electric changed the deal for new solar accounts in 2026. Net-metered accounts opened after December 31, 2025 go on a rate with a $1.00/kW demand charge, and GCEA is phasing in a peak-demand charge on your highest hour between 5 and 9 p.m. Monday–Saturday over five years. Homes are still net-metered up to 10 kW AC, with a choice of an annual true-up at wholesale or permanent rollover.

Cooperative4 Colorado communities on the state map

Utility type

Electric cooperative

Wholesale: Tri-State Generation and Transmission (95.1% of supply)

How exports are credited

Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits

System size limit

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

Net metering, in plain English

Residential up to 10 kW AC nameplate, commercial up to 25 kW AC, and no more than 120% of average annual use; one-time $250 fee. Members choose an annual true-up (October or April) at the wholesale rate GCEA pays its supplier, or a permanent rollover election whose banked kWh are forfeited on moving. New net-metered accounts after 12/31/2025 are on NMD-11 with a $1.00/kW demand charge; earlier accounts stay on NM-11.

Time-of-use: Residential time-of-use (13-N, 2026): $40.00/month, $0.26335/kWh on-peak, $0.10600/kWh off-peak, plus $0.50/kW. A new peak-demand charge on the highest hour between 5 and 9 p.m. Monday–Saturday is phasing in over five years from 2026.

Sources & dated facts

Colorado law (C.R.S. 40-9.5-118) requires every electric co-op to offer net metering to systems of at least 10 kW residential and 25 kW commercial, carry excess kWh forward month to month one-for-one, and credit any annual excess within 60 days.As of Sep 23, 2026
GCEA net metering: 10 kW AC residential / 25 kW AC commercial, ≤120% of average annual use; one-time $250 fee; annual true-up in October or April at the wholesale rate GCEA pays its supplier, or permanent rollover (forfeited on moving).As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
2026 rate chart: new net-metering accounts (NMD-11) $40.00/month + $0.15419/kWh + $1.00/kW; legacy accounts opened before 1/1/2026 (NM-11) $40.00/month + $0.15912/kWh, no demand charge.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
From Jan. 1, 2026 GCEA is phasing in over five years a peak-demand charge on the highest hour between 5 and 9 p.m. Monday–Saturday.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
GCEA serves portions of Gunnison, Hinsdale and Saguache counties (about 9,500 members) with offices in Gunnison and Crested Butte, and receives 95.1% of its electricity from Tri-State.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source

New in 2026: demand charges for new solar accounts

If you open a net-metered account with GCEA now, you’re on rate NMD-11: $40 a month, $0.15419/kWh and a $1.00/kW demand charge. Accounts opened before 2026 keep NM-11 with no demand charge. On top of that, GCEA is phasing in a charge on your highest hour between 5 and 9 p.m. Monday–Saturday over five years.

Solar can’t do much about either — the sun is low or down in that window, especially in a Gunnison winter. A battery that carries the evening can, which is why we look at solar and storage together for new GCEA systems.

True-up or permanent rollover

GCEA lets you settle your bank once a year, in October or April, at the wholesale rate it pays its supplier — or elect permanent rollover and keep full-value kWh credits as long as you stay, forfeiting them if you move. The size limit for a home is 10 kW AC, and no more than 120% of what you use in an average year.

Cold, high and snowy

The Gunnison Valley’s cold winters and high altitude are good for panel efficiency, but snow load, short winter days and long outages in a cold climate shape the design. We size racking for local snow loads and, where backup matters, keep heating controls and well pumps on the battery circuit.

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.

Home battery rebate

Status unconfirmed

GCEA has offered battery rebates tied to its time-of-use rate; the live rebate page did not show a current home-battery amount when we checked. Confirm with GCEA.

Program page

EV charger and EV rebates (2026)

Open

Level 2 charger with professional install: 50% of cost up to $1,000 ($500 charger + $500 electrical); requires the time-of-use rate; lifetime limit of two chargers.

Level 2 charger rebate: 50% up to $1,000 professionally installed (DIY up to $500); member must enroll in the time-of-use rate; lifetime limit two chargers; amounts valid for 2026.(source)

Program page

FAQ

Questions we hear

Do new GCEA solar accounts pay a demand charge?

Yes. Net-metered accounts opened after December 31, 2025 are on NMD-11, which includes a $1.00/kW demand charge. Earlier accounts stay on NM-11 without one.

What is GCEA’s net-metering fee?

A one-time $250 fee.

Does GCEA still offer a home battery rebate?

GCEA has offered battery rebates tied to its time-of-use rate, but its live rebate page didn’t show a current home-battery amount when we checked in September 2026. Ask GCEA before you count on one.

Does GCEA require time-of-use for its EV charger rebate?

Yes. The 2026 Level 2 charger rebate (50% up to $1,000 professionally installed) requires enrolling in GCEA’s time-of-use rate.

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