Typical customer: Worth it

San Miguel Power Association and solar

San Miguel Power Association is an electric cooperative serving about 12,379 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.)
17.8¢7% above Colorado average
Typical bill
$142799 kWh a month
Exports credited
RetailFull retail net metering
Typical payback
11.3 yrs6.1 kW, cash

Export rules for San Miguel Power 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 Miguel Power Association home

System6.1 kW (100% of 799 kWh/month)
Cost$19,055
First-year savings$1,636
Payback11.3 years
25-year net$30,810

Uses the utility's average price.

Solar adoption

Homes with solar (2025)
753
Share of customers
6.1%
Residential solar capacity
5 MW
Residential customers
12,379

EIA-861, 2025.

Questions about San Miguel Power Association and solar

Does San Miguel Power Association have net metering?

San Miguel Power 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 Miguel Power Association?

Residential customers paid an average of 16.8¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 17.8¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 799 kWh a month, a bill of about $142.

Is solar worth it with San Miguel Power Association?

For a typical customer, solar is worth it: a 6.1 kW system costing about $19,055 pays back in about 11.3 years, with $30,810 net over 25 years.

How many San Miguel Power Association customers have solar?

About 753 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 6.1% of residential customers (EIA-861).

Legal name: San Miguel Power Assn, Inc (EIA ID 16622). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.