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AIColorado Solarby Discovery Clean Energy

Colorado utility guide

Solar & batteries with Morgan County Rural Electric Association

Morgan County REA’s posted net-metering schedule credits excess solar at the co-op’s avoided cost — its average cost of power for the preceding year — and carries a negative bill forward as a dollar credit, paid out at the start of each calendar year. Systems up to 25 kW qualify, but not on a time-of-use rate, and MCREA warns that rate changes won’t be grandfathered.

Cooperative6 Colorado communities on the state map

Utility type

Electric cooperative

Wholesale: Tri-State Generation and Transmission

How exports are credited

Excess credited at avoided cost — well below retail

System size limit

25 kW (larger with co-op approval); 1,000 kW aggregate

Net metering, in plain English

Net Metering Schedule (Sheet 16, effective 1/1/2015, posted with the 2026 tariffs): up to 25 kW (larger with approval); not available on time-of-use rates; aggregate cap of 1,000 kW. Excess is credited at avoided cost (average cost of power for the preceding calendar year); a negative bill carries forward as a dollar credit and unused credit is paid at the start of each calendar year. $250 application fee.

Time-of-use: Residential (effective 4/1/2026): $34.00/month facilities charge plus $0.1225/kWh, no demand charge. No residential time-of-use rate found.

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
  • MCREA Net Metering Schedule (effective 1/1/2015, posted as a 2026 tariff): 25 kW cap; no TOU; 1,000 kW aggregate; excess credited at avoided cost with dollar carryforward and annual payout at the start of the calendar year.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
  • $250 non-refundable application fee; residential inverter tier up to 10 kW; MCREA states rate changes will not be grandfathered.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
  • MCREA serves Adams, Arapahoe, Logan, Morgan, Washington and Weld counties, including Goodrich, Hoyt, Last Chance, Messex, Orchard, Prospect Valley, Roggen, Wiggins and Woodrow; Tri-State is its supplier.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
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Small towns and farm country along I-76

MCREA serves rural parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Logan, Morgan, Washington and Weld counties — places like Wiggins, Orchard, Roggen, Hoyt and Prospect Valley — from Fort Morgan. The residential rate is simple: $34 a month plus $0.1225/kWh, with no demand charge.

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What the posted schedule means for sizing

MCREA’s posted schedule values excess generation at avoided cost and carries it forward in dollars, paying out any balance at the start of each year. Colorado law sets a kWh-for-kWh carryforward floor for co-op net metering, so ask MCREA how it applies to a residential system before you finalize size.

In either case, the power you use yourself saves 12.25¢; the power you export is worth less. We size MCREA systems to daytime and annual use, not to the 25 kW cap.

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No grandfathering

MCREA says future rate changes won’t be grandfathered for net-metered members. That’s a real risk to price in: a solar system’s value here depends on MCREA’s future rates, not just today’s.

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.

Level 2 EV charger rebate

Open

MCREA’s 2026 Electrify & Save brochure lists the $250 non-managed Level 2 tier (50% of cost).

  • 2026 brochure lists a non-managed Level 2 rebate of 50% up to $250; the $1,000 managed tier is not listed.(source)
Program page

FAQ

Questions we hear

What does MCREA charge to apply for net metering?

A $250 non-refundable application fee.

Can I combine solar with a time-of-use rate on MCREA?

No. MCREA’s net-metering schedule isn’t available with a time-of-use rate.

Will my solar terms be grandfathered if MCREA changes rates?

MCREA says rate changes will not be grandfathered, so savings estimates should allow for future changes.

Does MCREA offer a battery rebate?

We didn’t find one as of September 2026. Its posted rebates include a non-managed Level 2 EV charger rebate of up to $250.

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