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Xcel Colorado residential and small business

Xcel Renewable Battery Connect, Explained

An Xcel incentive for a new Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ battery paired with solar, in exchange for letting Xcel draw on it during limited peak events.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Check My EligibilityCall (720) 713-7695

Three tiers

Renewable Battery Connect tiers
TierIncentiveLimit
General$250 per kW ACUp to $5,000 per application
Disproportionately Impacted Community$500 per kW ACUp to 75% of equipment-only cost
Income Qualified$1,000 per kW ACUp to 75% of equipment-only cost

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Requires a new battery paired with new or existing solar. Runs through 2027 or until funds are exhausted; funding available as of November 2026. Tier qualification is confirmed by Xcel.

What "per kW AC of continuous discharge power" means

Continuous discharge power (kW AC) is the amount of power a battery can steadily deliver to your home at the same time, for a sustained period. It is different from storage (kWh), which is how much energy the battery holds.

The incentive is based on that steady power rating, not on storage size. Each battery's spec sheet lists its maximum continuous output; we'll show you that number for the battery we recommend.

How it works, step by step

01

Assessment

We look at your home, your solar (or plans for solar) and what you want backed up.

02

Xcel eligibility

We confirm you're a Colorado Xcel residential or small business customer and which tier may apply. Xcel confirms tier qualification.

03

Equipment choice

Tesla Powerwall or a current Enphase IQ battery, sized to your needs.

04

Application and interconnection

We help with the program application and utility interconnection paperwork. Confirm current application steps with Xcel.

05

Install

Our licensed electricians install the new battery and pair it with your new or existing solar.

06

Enrollment

Your battery is enrolled so Xcel can draw on it during limited peak events.

Peak participation

In general, Xcel can draw on enrolled batteries during limited peak events. Confirm the current participation terms with Xcel before you enroll.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Already have solar?

A new battery paired with existing solar can qualify. We check your inverter, panel and setup first.

Add a battery to existing solar

Also in a wildfire area with medical needs?

You can enroll in both programs, but you can't receive a rebate check from both for the same battery; we'll confirm with Xcel how it applies to your project.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: PSPS Backup Battery Rebate (updated 10/05/2026)

Batteries we're certified on

  • Enphase
  • Tesla Powerwall
  • Franklin (FranklinWH)
  • EG4

Only Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ batteries qualify for Renewable Battery Connect. Franklin (FranklinWH) and EG4 can be a good fit outside Renewable Battery Connect, for example when backup matters more than that program.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Not an Xcel customer? These programs don't apply.

Customers of these utilities are not Xcel customers and don't qualify for Xcel's programs:

  • /CORE Electric Cooperative
  • /Mountain View Electric Association (MVEA)
  • /United Power
  • /Poudre Valley REA
  • /Colorado Springs Utilities

We still install batteries in those areas; call (720) 713-7695 and we'll talk through options.

Common Questions

Renewable Battery Connect FAQs

The General tier is $250 per kW AC of battery maximum continuous discharge power, up to $5,000 per application. The Income Qualified tier is $1,000 per kW AC and the Disproportionately Impacted Community tier is $500 per kW AC, each up to 75% of equipment-only cost. As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

It's based on how much power the battery can steadily deliver at once, not how much energy it stores. A battery's spec sheet lists its maximum continuous output in kW AC; that power rating, not storage size, is what the incentive is based on.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Only Tesla Powerwall models and current Enphase IQ batteries. Xcel says applications for alternatives are not approved. Franklin (FranklinWH) and EG4 can still be a good fit outside this program.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Yes, the program requires a new battery paired with new or existing solar, for Colorado Xcel residential and small business customers. We check your inverter and panel on a site visit.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

In general, Xcel can draw on enrolled batteries during limited peak events. Confirm current participation terms with Xcel. The program runs through 2027 or until funds are exhausted, and funding was available as of November 2026.

As of November 2026; confirm current terms with Xcel. Official Xcel source: Renewable Battery Connect (updated 11/02/2026)

Seed Solar Team

Want to know if your battery qualifies? Ask a licensed crew.

Local Colorado licensed crew. No sales pressure, just a straight answer on what you qualify for.

Check My EligibilityCall (720) 713-7695