Typical customer: Worth it

San Isabel Electric Association and solar

San Isabel Electric Association is an electric cooperative serving about 23,415 homes in Colorado. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is worth it.

Average price (2026 est.)
19.9¢20% above Colorado average
Typical bill
$125628 kWh a month
Exports credited
RetailFull retail net metering
Typical payback
10.6 yrs4.8 kW, cash

Export rules for San Isabel Electric Association customers

Full retail net metering (Colorado rule).

Colorado requires investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy to credit solar exports at the full retail rate, with credits rolling over month to month indefinitely. Co-ops and large municipal utilities must also offer net metering, though their rules and size limits differ.

Colorado net metering details

Solar for a typical San Isabel Electric Association home

System4.8 kW (101% of 628 kWh/month)
Cost$15,740
First-year savings$1,439
Payback10.6 years
25-year net$28,652

Uses the utility's average price.

Solar adoption

Homes with solar (2025)
1,416
Share of customers
6.0%
Residential solar capacity
9 MW
Residential customers
23,415

EIA-861, 2025.

Questions about San Isabel Electric Association and solar

Does San Isabel Electric Association have net metering?

San Isabel Electric Association follows Colorado's rules: Colorado requires investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy to credit solar exports at the full retail rate, with credits rolling over month to month indefinitely. Co-ops and large municipal utilities must also offer net metering, though their rules and size limits differ.

How much does electricity cost with San Isabel Electric Association?

Residential customers paid an average of 18.9¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 19.9¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 628 kWh a month, a bill of about $125.

Is solar worth it with San Isabel Electric Association?

For a typical customer, solar is worth it: a 4.8 kW system costing about $15,740 pays back in about 10.6 years, with $28,652 net over 25 years.

How many San Isabel Electric Association customers have solar?

About 1,416 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 6.0% of residential customers (EIA-861).

Legal name: San Isabel Electric Assn, Inc (EIA ID 16616). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.