What happened in 2025 and 2026
In December 2025, during extreme wind and fire weather, Xcel shut off power to roughly 50,000 customers across parts of Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. On March 14, 2026 it did it again for about 18,000 customers, most of them in Boulder County and the rest largely in Jefferson County.
These shutoffs are planned, which means warnings — but also that restoration waits until crews inspect the lines after the wind drops. That’s why some homes were dark for a day and others for three.
Why solar plus a battery, and not solar alone
A standard grid-tied solar system shuts down when the grid does. That’s a safety requirement, not a flaw. To keep power, you need a battery and equipment that isolates your home from the grid during the outage.
With a battery, your panels recharge it each day during a multi-day shutoff. Colorado’s winter sun is low but usually bright, so even in December a modest array can top up a battery by midday on a clear day. Snow cover and overcast stretches are the exceptions, which is why sizing for a bad day matters.
Sizing for a 72-hour event
We start with the loads that matter: refrigerator, furnace blower (gas furnaces still need electricity), lights, internet, phones, and a sump or well pump if you have one. For those essentials, one Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh) often covers a day and recharges from solar. Adding electric heat, an electric range or a well pump pushes most homes toward two batteries.
Pricing, as ranges: about $19,000 for a first Powerwall 3 and about $12,000 for each additional; Enphase at about $17,000 for the first 10 kWh; SigEnergy at $15,500 for the first 9 kWh. Our blackout runtime calculator has a “survive a 72-hour shutoff” preset.
Incentives that help right now
Colorado offers a 10% state income-tax credit on residential battery storage for tax years through 2026, and exempts residential storage from state sales tax. Batteries also keep federal §48E eligibility through leases and third-party ownership. Xcel’s Renewable Battery Connect program has been reported at $350 per kW up to $5,000, stepping down, in exchange for letting Xcel draw on the battery during grid events. All of this is as of September 2026; verify current terms.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Where in Colorado has Xcel done wildfire shutoffs?
The December 2025 and March 2026 shutoffs affected parts of Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties, mainly foothills and wind-exposed areas west and north of Denver. Xcel publishes its current risk zones; homes in or near the foothills are the most likely to be affected again.
How much warning do you get before a shutoff?
Xcel issues notices ahead of planned shutoffs when it can, but timing varies with the weather forecast. A battery that switches over automatically doesn’t depend on you being home or seeing the alert.
Will my existing solar panels work during a shutoff?
Not without a battery. Grid-tied systems are required to stop when the grid goes down. Adding a battery to existing solar is possible in many cases; we evaluate whether your inverter setup allows it.
Is a battery better than a generator for shutoffs?
Batteries are silent, switch over instantly, need no fuel runs during a red-flag wind event and recharge from your panels. Generators can run longer in extended cloudy weather. Some mountain homeowners keep both. Our battery-vs-generator guide covers the trade-offs.
Does Xcel’s battery program limit my backup?
Programs that pay you for battery access let the utility discharge part of your battery during grid events. As reported, Xcel leaves a reserve in the battery. Ask about the rules before enrolling if backup is your top priority.