Colorado Springs Homeowners: Save Big on Energy Bills with Solar and Battery Storage Under New Rates
Colorado Springs Utilities is rolling out “Energy Wise Rates” a new time‑of‑use structure that charges more for electricity used between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, though weekends and holidays are exempt. Under these new rules, running energy-intensive appliances during those peak hours will cost significantly more, while usage outside those times is less expensive. According to the local utility, a high draw appliance during peak might cost around $0.44 per hour, versus $0.22 per hour off‑peak.
Given this shift, homeowners now face a new challenge and opportunity: can solar + battery storage systems be structured to not just cope, but to capitalize on the new rate scheme? In this blog, we’ll walk through how Colorado Springs residents can save big under “Energy Wise Rates” — and how Energy Advantage Roofing and Solar can help you get there.
What Exactly Are the “Energy Wise” Rates, and Why Do They Matter?
Before strategizing savings, you need a clear understanding of how the new rates work and how they affect your electric bill.
Under “Energy Wise Rates”:
Electricity used weekdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. is charged at a higher rate.
Electricity used before 5 p.m. or after 9 p.m. on weekdays is at a lower rate.
Weekends and holidays are not included in the peak‑rate window so they are always off‑peak by definition.
The policy will immediately apply to new customers; existing customers will be transitioned by next year.
These changes mean your bill is now more sensitive to when you use power, not just how much you use. If you run your oven, electric heating, or EV charging during peak hours, your costs could rise sharply. But if you shift usage or use stored energy during those expensive periods, you can protect (or even reduce) your bill.
This is the context in which solar + battery storage becomes especially valuable because it gives you options to avoid paying peak rates.
Why Now Is the Time to Pair Solar with Battery Storage Under These Rates
Given the new pricing structure, a solar system without storage may not be enough to maximize savings. The changing dynamics demand a hybrid approach. Here’s why:
Reduced value of exports during peak: If your system dumps excess power to the grid during high‑cost hours, your compensation may not recoup losses.
Storage allows time-shifting: You can store excess solar during midday and use it during the 5–9 p.m. window instead of purchasing expensive grid power.
Peak avoidance is critical: Even a small reduction in usage during those hours can yield outsized savings.
Backup and resilience: During outages, a battery-enabled system can supply essential loads — adding value beyond just economics.
In short: under “Energy Wise Rates,” battery storage becomes a lever to tilt your bill in your favor. The rest of this blog shows you how.
How Much Can You Actually Save Under the “Energy Wise” Structure?
What kind of savings are realistic? While individual results vary, some general estimates can guide your planning.
Many homeowners may see a 30–50% reduction in their bills, depending on how well their system captures and shifts load.
Over a 20‑25 year lifespan, savings could reach tens of thousands of dollars, especially when factoring in avoided peak premiums.
With good incentives and smart design, payback periods of 8 to 12 years remain possible — perhaps even faster for high-peak usage homes.
Because the rate difference (peak vs off-peak) is stark, the extra value from having energy available at those 5–9 p.m. hours can accelerate returns significantly.
Can You Still Save Big in This New Reality?
Yes — with smart planning.
Because the peak window (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) is priced so sharply, even offsetting a portion of that load gives outsized returns. A well-sized solar + battery system, combined with disciplined usage and timing, can deliver bill reductions, faster payback, and long-term resilience.
To dive deeper into panel choices, incentives, and region-specific data, check out this resource on colorado solar panel which complements what we’ve laid out here.
By adapting your design, selecting quality equipment, and choosing the right partner, you can turn the “Energy Wise Rates” from a challenge into an opportunity.
How Should You Design a Solar + Battery System to Thrive Under “Energy Wise” Rates?
Design is more critical than ever under this kind of pricing regime. The “when” of energy use matters just as much as the “how much.”
Here’s how to optimize:
Analyze your load profile by hour: Understand exactly how much electricity you use during 5–9 p.m. vs midday.
Size solar to produce more midday surplus: You want excess generation beyond your midday load to feed into the battery.
Size battery to cover your evening peak: A battery of 8–15 kWh can often cover the bulk of your 5–9 p.m. usage.
Use a smart inverter / controller: It should prioritize using stored energy during peak hours, rather than exporting to the grid.
Plan for growth: If you expect to add EV charging or HVAC upgrades, leave capacity for expansion.
By tailoring your system to the rate curve, you ensure you don’t just offset energy — you offset the expensive energy.
Where Should Your Solar & Battery Be Installed, and How Should They Be Configured?
Beyond sizing, the physical and system layout has big impact. Placement and controls determine how well you capture and deploy energy when it matters.
Key considerations:
Roof orientation & tilt: Aim for south or southwest exposure to maximize midday production.
Minimize shading: Even small shading can reduce midday surplus, which is critical for charging your battery.
Battery location: Install in a protected, temperature-stable area like a garage or mechanical room.
Control logic: The system must discharge during 5–9 p.m. preferentially, even if some grid power is available.
Backup circuit design: If you want outage resilience, design critical circuits to be powered by battery during blackouts.
Monitoring & analytics: Use software or dashboards to track how much of your 5–9 p.m. demand is met by stored energy.
All these details matter more now — because “when” energy is used is the central variable.
What Incentives Still Help Offset the Cost?
Incentives remain essential to making your system economically viable, especially when pairing solar + battery under new rate structures.
Among the available incentives:
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): 30% credit applying to combined solar + battery systems (when battery is charged by solar).
State incentives or exemptions (such as sales tax or property tax incentives) within Colorado.
Local rebates or utility programs, where offered.
These incentives reduce your upfront cost, improving payback and boosting your total return. You’ll want to stack as many as possible.
How Can You Finance It Without Breaking the Bank?
Even with incentives, cost is significant. But good financing makes it manageable.
Some financing options:
Cash purchase: Max returns, but upfront capital needed.
Solar or home improvement loans: Spread payments over 5–20 years.
Home equity lines or loans (HELOC): Use existing home equity.
PACE financing (if available locally): Pay via property tax assessments.
Choose a payment plan where your monthly cost is lower than or comparable to the reduction in your electric bill — that’s how you start to immediately benefit.
When Should You Move Now (Not Later) Under These Rates?
Timing your decision is crucial, and under “Energy Wise Rates”, acting soon has multiple advantages:
You beat the full transition: new customers are already under the system; existing ones are phased in.
You lock in incentives before they decline.
You capture rising utility costs: electricity rates will likely increase over time.
You gain earlier years of savings, which compound over the life of the system.
Delaying means losing potential savings — especially during the critical early years.
How Can Homeowners Estimate Payback under the New Scheme?
A financial model under “Energy Wise Rates” should incorporate:
System cost (solar + battery) minus incentives
Hourly utility rate differential (peak vs off-peak)
Your usage pattern by hour
Battery efficiency and round-trip losses
System degradation and maintenance
Discount rate or desired return
With those inputs, you can simulate how much of your 5–9 p.m. demand is offset, what your annual net savings will be, and when payback occurs. A well-designed system can often pay for itself within a decade — a compelling return.
How to Pick the Right Installer in This New Landscape
With rates shifting, the quality of your installer matters even more.
Here’s what to look for:
Experience with time-of-use and rate-sensitive systems
Knowledge of local codes, permitting, and incentives
Strong references and proven installations
Expertise in battery integration (not just solar)
Transparent proposals with performance modeling
Ongoing support and monitoring services
An installer who understands the “Energy Wise” dynamic gives you a better chance to maximize savings.
What Risks Should You Be Aware Of — and How to Mitigate Them?
Every investment comes with risks. In this new rate regime, the key uncertainties include:
Rate or policy changes: Utilities or regulators might adjust peak hours or pricing.
Battery degradation or failure: Over time, battery capacity declines.
Installation cost overruns or delays
Underperformance due to shading or mismatch
Financing mismatch or interest outweighing benefit
You can mitigate risk by using conservative estimates, choosing reputable equipment, structuring contracts with performance guarantees, and staying informed of policy changes.
Conclusion
Yes — and now is the perfect moment to act.
The shift to time-of-use billing makes energy timing a major cost driver. You can’t just produce solar power — you have to capture it when it's cheap and use it when the grid is most expensive. That’s precisely what a well-designed battery-backed solar system can do.
If you're in Colorado Springs, Energy Advantage Roofing and Solar is ready to help you navigate this transition — from rate analysis to custom system design and installation. Let us help you build a system that saves big, protects against rising rates, and puts you in control.
Contact us today to get your custom plan and start saving right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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They’rea time-of-use billing framework: electricity used weekdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. costs more, while usage outside those hours (and all weekend or holidays) is billed at a lower rate.
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Yes, new customers are under “Energy Wise Rates” now, and existing customers will be transitioned by next year.
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An example given is using an electric oven during 5–9 p.m. may cost about $0.44 per hour,whereas off-peak might cost about $0.22 per hour essentially double.
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No, weekends and holidays are excluded from the peak window;they’re always considered off-peak.
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Absolutely, when designed properly, battery storage allows you to avoid buying energy during peak hours, making your system much more valuable under this scheme.
