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Colorado utility guide

Solar & batteries with Mountain Parks Electric

Mountain Parks Electric raised its solar rebate to $1,000 for 2026, explicitly to offset the end of the federal tax credit and its new application fee. Systems up to 25 kW are net-metered, surplus kWh roll forward one-for-one, and leftover credit is paid each spring at the co-op’s average avoided cost — $0.064 per kWh for the April 2026 payout.

Cooperative7 Colorado communities on the state map

Utility type

Electric cooperative

Wholesale: Guzman Energy (since Feb. 1, 2025)

How exports are credited

Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits

System size limit

25 kW

Net metering, in plain English

Tariff 330 (effective 8/20/2023): residential and commercial systems up to 25 kW; excess kWh carried forward one-for-one; within 60 days after the end of March, leftover kWh are paid at the average avoided cost of power over the previous 12 months. On time-of-use rates, on-peak generation earns on-peak credit and off-peak earns off-peak. A $250 application fee applies for systems ≤25 kW.

Time-of-use: Standard residential (202.01): $39.32/month plus $0.13750/kWh. Whole-house time-of-use (202.11): $39.32/month, $0.23626/kWh on-peak (5–10 p.m. Monday–Saturday), $0.09694/kWh off-peak. A 6.8% overall increase took effect Jan. 1, 2026.

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
  • MPE Tariff 330: 25 kW cap; 1:1 carryforward; annual payout within 60 days after end of March at average avoided cost of power over the prior 12 months; TOU credits by period.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
  • The wholesale avoided cost of power for April 2025–March 2026 (April 2026 payout) was $0.064/kWh.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
  • Net-metering application fee: $250 for 25 kW nameplate and below.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
  • MPE serves all of Grand and Jackson counties and parts of Larimer, Routt and Summit counties — 18,400+ members — from Granby and Walden; its power supplier has been Guzman Energy since Feb. 1, 2025.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
01

Who Mountain Parks serves

MPE covers all of Grand and Jackson counties plus parts of Larimer, Routt and Summit — Granby, Winter Park, the Fraser Valley and North Park among them — for more than 18,400 members. Since February 1, 2025 it has bought its power from Guzman Energy rather than Tri-State.

02

A rebate that moved the right direction

Most Colorado utilities have trimmed solar incentives. MPE doubled its Clean Power Program rebate to $1,000 for 2026, saying the increase offsets the lost federal credit and the net-metering application fee ($250). On an 8 kW system at $2.80–$3.25/W, that’s a small but meaningful dent.

The rebate applies to 2–25 kW systems applied for and installed in 2026 — worth knowing if you’re deciding between this fall and next spring.

03

High-country design

Fraser and North Park winters are long and cold, with heavy snow. Cold panels produce well, but snow cover and low winter sun mean summer carries most of the year’s output — and MPE’s spring payout (6.4¢/kWh in April 2026) settles whatever’s left. We size to your annual use and design racking for local snow loads.

On the time-of-use rate, credits stay in the period they’re generated, and evening on-peak runs 5–10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so a battery can do real work if you choose that rate.

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.

Clean Power Program solar rebate

Open

$1,000 for 2–25 kW renewable systems applied for and installed in 2026 (up from $500 in 2025). Voluntary, member-funded.

  • $1,000 rebate for 2–25 kW systems applied for and installed in 2026, raised to offset the discontinued federal tax credit and the new application fee.(source)
Program page

Residential Level 2 EV charger rebate

Open

50% of project cost up to $750 ($250 charger + $500 wiring).

  • EV charger rebate: 50% of project cost up to $750 ($250 charger, $500 wiring); residential Level 2 only.(source)
Program page

FAQ

Questions we hear

How much is Mountain Parks Electric’s solar rebate?

$1,000 for 2–25 kW systems applied for and installed in 2026.

What does MPE pay for leftover solar credits?

Its average avoided cost of power over the prior 12 months, paid within 60 days after the end of March. The April 2026 payout rate was $0.064/kWh.

Is Mountain Parks Electric still on Tri-State?

No. MPE’s power supplier has been Guzman Energy since February 1, 2025.

Does MPE rebate home EV chargers?

Yes: 50% of the project cost up to $750 — $250 toward the charger and $500 toward wiring.

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.

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