Net metering with Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Energy provides electric service to Pueblo and surrounding southern Colorado communities. As an investor-owned utility, Black Hills is regulated by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which means its net metering rules are set through state-approved tariffs — your excess solar is credited at the full retail rate.
Export credit
Full retail rate credited on bill
Regulation
Colorado PUC (investor-owned utility)
Interconnection
Seed Solar handles the application
How it works, step by step
Interconnection approval before construction
Black Hills requires a completed and approved interconnection application before your system is built. Seed Solar prepares and submits your application, coordinates with Black Hills' engineering team, and manages the process through final approval.
A bi-directional meter tracks both directions
Once interconnected, your bi-directional meter measures power you draw from the grid and excess solar you send back. Power used inside your home at the moment it's produced never touches the meter.
Excess production earns credits at the retail rate
When your solar produces more than your home uses, the surplus is credited on your bill at the full retail rate. Those credits offset future charges in months when your usage exceeds production.
Annual true-up for remaining credits
Credits that haven't been used by the end of your annual true-up period are settled at a rate determined by Black Hills' tariff. Most homeowners benefit most from sizing their system to keep production closely matched to annual consumption.
Good to know
- Black Hills is regulated by the Colorado PUC, so its net metering terms are established in filed tariffs — check the current tariff rate before projecting long-term savings.
- Fixed monthly service charges are part of every electric bill and can't be offset by solar production.
- As with all utilities, panel generation must not exceed your annual consumption — Black Hills' interconnection rules limit system size accordingly.
Utility rates and net metering rules change over time. This overview reflects Black Hills Energy's program as of mid-2026 — always confirm current terms at Black Hills Energy — Rooftop Solar. When you get a quote from us, we verify the current rules for your address.
Solar designed around Black Hills's rules
We size and design every system for your utility's exact rate structure — so your savings estimate reflects how Black Hills Energy actually credits solar.