Frequently
Asked Questions

1. Apply for Service: Customer or installer applies for electrical and/or natural gas service through the Builder’s Call Line 800-628-2121 if you do not already have an Xcel Energy account. You will be issued a temporary account number. Contact Xcel Energy Customer Care approximately 7 business days after to receive the permanent account number. A permanent account number will be required to begin the interconnection application process.
2. Initiate Application and Pay Fees: The solar installer begins the application in the portal and enters key information for the project, including the site plan and line diagram. The 200% Rule will be automatically evaluated based on the system details entered. If manual evaluation is needed, the Solar Team will provide its review within 3 business days. There will be a $100 fee for smaller systems, additional $200 fee is a supplemental study is deemed to be required.
   1. What is the 200% Rule?
      1. The 200% Rule assumes that the estimated photovoltaic production is not greater than 200% of the customer’s electric load; Otherwise, a project is not eligible for net metering.
3. Program Review: After receiving the required application fees the Solar Team will complete a high-level review of the site plan and line diagram within 3 business days. Once approved, the application is sent to our engineers for completeness review.
4. Completeness Review: Xcel Energy engineers will review the application details provided in the interconnection portal along with the site plan and line diagram to determine if the plans meet the guidelines set forth within 10 business days. If original review is not accepted, the customer or installer will be provided detail regarding what needs to be corrected. The customer or installer ill need to submit corrected information which is subject to subsequent reviews that have an additional 10-business day timeline.
5. Engineering Review: Xcel Energy engineers will perform an in-depth review of the proposed system within 10 business days for systems under 25kW DC and 15 business days for systems 25kW DC and larger. Further studies may be required that add additional time and cost to the review. Do not install the system until the application has passed all engineering screens.
6. Study Process: The application will enter the study process if Xcel Energy determines further study is needed. The study will identify upgrades that might be needed, though they are not always required. Fees and timelines will vary depending on the study.
7. Interconnection Agreements: Solar agreements are sent to the interconnection customer and solar installer for signature. Xcel Energy will countersign the documents within 2 business days after receiving customer and installer signatures.
8. Design and Construction: Customer uploads final electrical inspection and North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) forms (Solar*Rewards applications only) are uploaded to the application portal. The Solar Team will review the final documents and solar agreements within 3 business days.
9. Metering & Testing: The Solar Team will request your permanent meter(s) if the final documents and Solar Agreements meet program requirements. A meter technician will attempt to install/review the metering within 10 business days of the Solar Team initiating your meter request.
10. Permission to Operate: The meter technician will leave a printed confirmation at your door, indicating the appropriate meters have been installed/reviewed and giving the customer permission to operate (PTO). Within a few days of completed meter installation/review, the customer and installer will also receive an automated email from the application portal, granting PTO of the solar system.

Xcel Energy works to expedite Marshall Fire residential rooftop solar requests.

Our engineering team is aware that the systems in the area are likely to trigger the supplemental review in almost all cases and are working to determine a solution to make the process easier and more efficient for customers in this area.

For specific questions on electric service needs for your home, please contact the Builders Call Line at 800-628-2121 or at [email protected].

You can apply for rooftop solar interconnection after your electric service connection application(s) are submitted, and prior to a solar system being installed.

• We recommend not installing until after Step 7: Interconnection Agreements.
• We highly encourage this to ensure that the system is approved and does not require changes or upgrades to be system compliant.

A temporary meter account cannot be used to start a rooftop solar application. We require a permanent meter account and premise, but the physical meter does not need to be installed prior to applying for rooftop solar.

Typically, property owners rely on the solar installer or developer to submit the application, but a property owner or residential developers can submit the application.

Smaller systems under 25kW application may take 8-12 weeks, but application times are often shorter. Systems over 25kW or more complex systems may require additional time.

Xcel Energy needs to evaluate the safety and integrity of your system prior to connection with the grid. Customers connected to the grid will need to sign an Interconnection Agreement. The application process also initiates the billing process so that you are reimbursed for the power your system generates.

• State of Colorado rules for interconnection were established by the Public Utilities Commission, through a regulatory proceeding that considered stakeholder input, including from the Colorado Solar and Storage Association.
• An application requires information about the system so that the engineering analysis can take place. The load and generation on the grid is constantly changing, so each study is required to determine the conditions of the secondary and potentially the primary system at the time of review. We require a site plan and line diagram as part of that review to ensure the system meets Xcel Energy and State of Colorado standards.

• If installation has already started, get your application in as soon as possible to avoid any extended delays.
• An installed solar system will not be able to operate until an application has been submitted for rooftop solar and an interconnection agreement has been signed.
• Applying prior to starting installation will ensure you are installing the correct equipment and that no changes or upgrades to be system will be needed to become compliant.

• With Xcel Energy’s system rebuilding efforts in this area, we are making many capacity upgrades in the Marshall Fire area that are expected to provide more capacity for solar generation and electrification usage such as EV charging.
• Hosting capacity maps have been developed to help solar installers understand various technical details of the Xcel Energy electric system.
• However, due to unique aspects associated with the Marshall Fire area and the system upgrade efforts Xcel Energy is undertaking, we do not recommend customers use these maps to assess whether to install rooftop solar. The capacity map of available power provides general information on areas that have higher hosting capacity as well as areas that have higher availability of solar subscriptions.

• Site plan.
• Electric line diagram.
• Account number and premise number – please be sure applicant name matches that on the customer account.

The application fee is typically $100 for smaller systems. If during the initial review, a supplemental study is determined to be required, there will be an additional $200 fee. Xcel Energy recently submitted an interconnection tariff with revised fees, which we propose be approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC). We should expect to hear more from the PUC in summer 2023.

Due to the unique configuration of each system, please contact the builders call line at 800-628-2121 or at [email protected] to determine the next steps in the process and costs.

For questions about the process or your status for connecting new natural gas or electric service, or setting up temporary power for new construction, please contact the Marshall Fire Recovery Project team:

• Information Line: 303-865-5370
• Email: [email protected]
• Comment Form

For design or infrastructure questions related to rebuilds, contact the Builders Call Line:

• Information Line: 800-628-2121
• Email: [email protected]

Service requests for homes that were repaired or rebuilt because of the Marshall Fire will be prioritized.

Your request for temporary power can take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks following the temporary meter being inspected and reported to Xcel Energy by the inspector. Your completion date will be influenced by:

• Accuracy and completeness of your request.
• Complexity of your project design.
• Receipt of your payment.
• Scheduling and availability of our construction crews.
• Readiness of your site.
• Weather.

Please submit your service request at least 90 days before your desired completion date to accommodate these dependencies. Your Xcel Energy representative will work with you to schedule and monitor your project’s progress.

For more insight on what to expect, please check out our Installing and Connecting Service Process Map.

Your request for permanent power can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6+ months. Your completion date will be influenced by:

• Accuracy and completeness of your request.
• Complexity of your project design.
• Receipt of your payment.
• Scheduling and availability of our construction crews.
• Readiness of your site.
• Weather.

Please submit your service request at least 90 days before your desired completion date to accommodate these dependencies. Your Xcel Energy representative will work with you to schedule and monitor your project’s progress.

For more insight on what to expect, please check out our Installing and Connecting Service Process Map.

As soon as you have plans that detail what your residence or building will look like, please submit an application for service. Please be sure to have the following information available:

• Service address where the work will take place.
• Billing address.
• Contact information for the account owner.
• Service details including electric and/or natural gas service and load specifications, you can consult your electrician, plumber, or HVAC professional for help if needed.
• Illustrated site plan that details where the building(s) will be located as well as locations for utility lines, driveways, and landscaping. The site plan can be hand drawn or professionally developed.
• Information on any supplemental needs such as temporary service or outdoor lighting.

Xcel Energy covers costs affiliated with infrastructure up to and including the meter(s). Customers will pay costs relating to temporary and permanent meters and affiliated electricity and/or natural gas usage.

Xcel Energy’s natural gas and electrical infrastructure is ready to provide service but may need some modifications depending on the structure being built. This will be determined after an application for service is received and reviewed by Xcel Energy.

For specific questions on electric service needs for your home, please contact the Builders Call Line at 800-628-2121 or [email protected].

For questions about billing issues, you can reach out to Xcel Energy Customer Care at 800-895-4999 or at [email protected].

You can apply for temporary power and permanent power separately or at the same time, depending on what makes the most sense for you.

Xcel Energy will create a temporary account when we receive an application for temporary service which can be linked to your existing account.

Either can submit the application. While the homeowner should review all aspects of a new service application, the construction contractor may need to assist to advise of the load specifications for your service (voltage, phase, amps, BTUs, etc.).

Our installation standards require Xcel Energy-owned utility boxes to be constructed above grade to allow quick and safe access to them at all times.