The time-of-use math
Shifting 10 kWh a day from on-peak to off-peak on PVREA’s 2026 time-of-use rate saves about $1.33 a day, or roughly $400–$480 a year depending on how many days you actually cycle it. Against a $15,500 SigEnergy (9 kWh) or $19,000 Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh), that’s a long payback on arbitrage alone.
The Colorado 10% battery income-tax credit (tax years through 2026) and the state sales-tax exemption for batteries trim the upfront cost. Verify current terms before you count on them.
Programs to ask PVREA about
There is a Battery Rewards program on PVREA’s site. We weren’t able to confirm its current terms or which equipment qualifies, so ask PVREA directly before you choose a brand on the strength of it.
Rural PVREA homes on wells, or with livestock water and heat tape to keep running, are where backup value is highest. We size those systems around the loads you can’t lose.
Utility type
Electric cooperative
Wholesale: Tri-State Generation and Transmission
How exports are credited
Exports banked 1:1 as kWh credits
System size limit
Lesser of 25 kW or 120% of the last 12 months’ usage
Net metering, in plain English
Rooftop systems must be under 25 kW or 120% of the twelve-month historical usage at the meter, whichever is less. Surplus credits bank month to month and are trued up once a year on April 1 at the Tariff NP (Net Metering) rate. A $255 net-metering application fee applies. Systems over 25 kW AC are not eligible for net metering and must either self-consume without export or sell all output to PVREA under Schedule DG.
Time-of-use: 2026 standard residential (Schedule A): $24.50/month, $0.09108/kWh, $1.00/kW demand, plus a $0.0015/kWh power cost adjustment. Optional time-of-use (ATOU): $24.50/month, $0.18800/kWh on-peak, $0.05464/kWh off-peak, $1.00/kW demand.
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
- PVREA rooftop solar must be under 25 kW or 120% of the twelve-month historical usage at the metering point, whichever is less; the net-metering application fee is $255.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- PVREA trues up unused energy credits annually on April 1 under Tariff NP; the 2026 annual true-up rate is $0.03361/kWh.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- Generation larger than 25 kW AC is not eligible for PVREA’s net-metering rate; DG Level II/III projects must either use all output on site with no export or sell all output to PVREA at the Schedule DG rate.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
- PVREA serves Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties; Tri-State is its wholesale power supplier.As of Sep 23, 2026 · source
FAQ
Questions we hear
Does PVREA have a home battery rebate?
We didn’t find a battery rebate on PVREA’s rebate pages as of September 2026. PVREA does list a Battery Rewards program; ask PVREA for its current terms and eligible equipment.
Will a battery cut my PVREA demand charge?
Only slightly. PVREA’s residential demand charge is $1.00 per kW in 2026, so even trimming 5 kW saves just $5 a month.
Is PVREA’s time-of-use rate good with a battery?
It’s where a battery earns the most here: on-peak is $0.188/kWh and off-peak $0.05464 in 2026. Note that some PVREA programs, like DrivEV, require a non-time-of-use rate, so check which combination fits you.
Can I add a battery to solar I already have on PVREA?
Yes, if your existing inverter setup allows it. We install Tesla, Enphase and SigEnergy batteries; we don’t service or take over other installers’ systems, so we’ll tell you honestly if yours is a fit.