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Investor-owned utilityXcel Energy (Colorado) interconnection application
Xcel Energy (Colorado) is an investor-owned utility serving 1,379,910 residential customers in Colorado (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: Own online portal (Xcel Energy Colorado DER Interconnection Application Portal (Salesforce-based, co.my.xcelenergy.com)). Gridpol files Xcel Energy (Colorado) interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.
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Process verified from Xcel Energy (Colorado)’s official sources (see below). Process guide dated 2022 and RBC guide 2024; confirm current fee schedule, portal URL and RBC product availability on first project.
Xcel Energy (Colorado) at a glance
Public Service Co of Colorado (Xcel Energy)
TypeInvestor-owned utility
EIA utility ID15466
Residential customers1,379,910 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customers121,127 (EIA-861, 2025)
Service territory56 counties in Colorado
How to applyOwn online portal – Xcel Energy Colorado DER Interconnection Application Portal (Salesforce-based, co.my.xcelenergy.com)
Who submitsInstaller/developer normally initiates the application in the portal on the customer's behalf (application owner/agent); customer may also apply. Customer name on application must match the name on the Xcel Energy bill; account and premise numbers required. Interconnection/Solar agreements are e-signed by both the interconnection customer and the installer.
Export compensationNEM – Net Energy Metering (with optional Solar*Rewards REC incentive)
Excess generation banked to the customer's virtual bank for future bills; Solar Bank Election form sets year-end treatment.
Per Xcel portal guide: program review 2-3 business days; completeness review 10 business days (re-reviews 10 BD); Level 1 screens within 10 BD after deemed complete; Level 2 fast-track 15 BD; engineering review 10 BD (<10 kW DC) / 15 BD (>=10 kW DC); supplemental review 30 BD; agreements countersigned within 2 BD; final document review 3 BD; meter install/review within 20 BD of meter request. Application auto-withdrawn after 18 months.
Documents Xcel Energy (Colorado) asks for
- Interconnection application formOnline application in DER portal (contact info, system details, application details) Gridpol prepares this.
- Single-line diagram (one-line)One-line diagram; DC system size must match application; show battery configuration, PV production meter notes and 'Utility AC Disconnect' label + placard Gridpol prepares this.
- Site plan / site layoutSite plan; Solar Team high-level review of site plan + line diagram Gridpol prepares this.
- UL 1741 / IEEE 1547 certificationInverters must be UL 1741 certified and on the CEC Solar Equipment List
- Battery spec sheet (when applicable)Storage: manufacturer, model, max continuous charge rate (kW), Storage Guidance Configuration (e.g. AC Net Metered Non-Export 2C, DC Net Metered 100% Renewable Export 3B/3BM), operating modes
- Customer signatureE-signatures on Solar Agreements by customer and installer
- Interconnection agreement (when applicable)SGIA required for systems >25 kW AC
- Final inspection sign-offFinal electrical inspection uploaded to portal after construction
- Other utility-specific document (when applicable)200% Rule support documentation if automatic 200% check fails; Solar Bank Election Form (Solar*Rewards/DG); Meter Collar Waiver if used; NABCEP form for Solar*Rewards; insurance only >= 1 MW AC
How the Xcel Energy (Colorado) process runs
- Initiate application in DER portal (installer), pay engineering/application fee; 200% Rule check
- Program review of site plan and line diagram
- Completeness review by engineering
- Engineering review / Level 1-2 screens (supplemental or study if needed)
- Study process if required
- Interconnection/Solar agreements e-signed by customer and installer; Xcel countersigns
- Design and construction; upload final electrical inspection (and NABCEP form for Solar*Rewards)
- Metering and testing: meter request, technician installs/reviews meter
- Permission to operate: door hanger plus automated PTO email from portal
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | <= 10 kW (application/initial study fee) | 2022 portal guide |
| $1,000 | >10 kW - 250 kW | 2022 portal guide |
| $2,000 | >250 kW - 2 MW | 2022 portal guide |
| $100 engineering fee | Battery-only applications (Renewable Battery Connect) | Solar+battery engineering fee based on solar kW AC; RBC application deposit $50/kW of max continuous charge rate (none for IQ/DIC), refunded if PTO within 18 months |
Utility fees are paid by the installer or customer; they are not part of the Gridpol plan.
Size levels and limits
| Level | Up to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 25 kW | 0.5-25 kW program tier |
| Medium | 500 kW | 25.01-500 kW |
| Large | >500 kW up to 200% of annual load |
Expected generation (PVWatts) plus other DG must not exceed 200% of prior-12-month consumption (200% Rule, checked automatically). Level 1 simplified / Level 2 fast-track / Level 3 study per CO PUC rules.
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
Storage applied for in same portal (fuel type Energy Storage). Must declare Storage Guidance Configuration (e.g. AC Net Metered Non-Export 2C, DC Net Metered 100% Renewable Export 3B/3BM), operating modes, whether storage exports, whether 100% charged by NEM-eligible source. Renewable Battery Connect program (residential/small business, battery charged by on-site solar, internet connection, up to 60 utility-dispatched events/yr) has its own application products.
Common issues the utility lists
- DC system size on site plan/line diagram does not match application
- Battery details not entered exactly as on approved equipment list (manufacturer, model, charge rate, configuration)
- Existing equipment (PV production meter, Utility AC Disconnect label/placard) not documented on one-line
- kW AC of existing inverters not documented when adding battery to existing solar
- Customer name not matching Xcel bill
Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.
Sources
- Xcel Energy Colorado DER Interconnection Application Portal Process Guide (May 2022): https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Working%20With%20Us/Renewable%20Developers/CO_DER%20Interconnection%20Portal_Process%20Guide_2022-05.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- CO Renewable Battery Connect Interconnection Application Installer Guide 2024: https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Working%20With%20Us/Renewable%20Developers/CO%20Renewable%20Battery%20Connect%20Interconnection%20Application%20Installer%20Guide_2024.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
Other utilities in Colorado
- Colorado Springs Utilities220,059
- CORE Electric Cooperative168,587
- United Power, Inc.103,104
- Black Hills Energy (Colorado)97,888
- City of Fort Collins71,804
- Mountain View Electric Association, Inc.61,343
- Poudre Valley REA, Inc.50,933
- Holy Cross Electric Association, Inc.50,431
- City of Longmont41,483
- La Plata Electric Association, Inc.40,369
$500 / month
Unlimited interconnection applications. 12-month agreement, signed online. The agreement starts the day you sign; first invoice right away, then monthly.
- Unlimited interconnection applications
- Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
- Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
- Homeowner e-signature link for the authorization
- Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
- Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
- Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
- Customer list, exports, API and webhooks
Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.