residential Black Hills On-Site Solar Power Program

On-Site Solar Power Program

Please read the rules for our program before you complete the application.
Black Hills Energy On-Site Photovoltaic (PV) Incentive Program Rules

  1. If you are already a Colorado Electric customer of Black Hills Energy and you plan to install a PV system on an existing home or business, your account must be active and current at the site of the proposed PV installation. For new construction, please contact the Program Administrator. Black Hills Energy will not accept applications from a customer whose account is in arrears.
  2. PV equipment that is installed as part of this program is intended to remain at the address listed on this application. You must own the property where the PV system will be installed. Black Hills Energy may require partial or full repayment of rebates if a system is removed before the end of its useful life. Exception: Tenant owned systems, call for details.
  3. Systems must be installed within the specified time frame from the date of the application submittal. Systems that are less than 10 kW have 6 months from the date of application submittal. Systems above 10 kW have 12 months from the date of application submittal. Failure to meet these requirements will result in forfeiture of the incentive offering and the application deposit. If this occurs, you may re-apply under the current incentive level offering.
  4. Deposits must be received no later then 3pm on the 5th business day following application submission. (See deposit policy for more details) systems which are of a size at or below 5 kW will require a deposit of $250, and systems which are of a size above 5 kW will require a deposit of $.05/watt.
  5. Applicants for small systems (Categories 1 and 2) must be able to demonstrate substantial completion (as defined in the Commission's rules) within six months after the application submittal date unless an extension of time is granted by the Company for good cause. Applications for medium systems (Category 3) must be able to demonstrate substantial completion within twelve months after the application submittal date unless an extension of time is granted by the Company for good cause.
  6. Prior to rebate qualification, customer must have submitted to Black Hills Energy a signed and completed application, deposit and 1-line diagram and all pertinent executed agreements.
  7. Two options exist to receive credits for net-metering: Excess energy from the solar system that is 'banked' will be cashed out at the end of the year, or a one-time election to "roll-over" excess energy can be made to have excess energy applied to the account until termination of service, with no payments made for excess energy. If the one-time election is not specified in writing, than the cash-out option at the end of the year will be enacted. All third party owned systems would be placed in the rollover option for excess energy.
  8. All systems must meet the requirements of local building construction and electrical safety codes at the time of installation. The customer is responsible for securing all necessary permits (i.e., building, electrical, etc.). Black Hills Energy strongly recommends that you secure these permits before applying for a rebate.
  9. All equipment must be factory new and unused. Rebuilt or refurbished equipment is not allowed. Solar systems MUST be inspected by a Black Hills representative before your system can be turned on and become operational.
  10. The system must be permanently installed or attached to a building, foundation or permanent structure. Portable or mobile systems are not allowed.
  11. Black Hills Energy will calculate the equipment rebate payment based on the DC capacity of the PV system.
  12. The proposed PV system capacity in KW does not exceed the Service Address service entry capacity.
  13. The proposed PV system shall be sized to supply no more than 120 percent of the customer's average annual electricity consumption at that site.
  14. Production Based Incentives (PBI) will be paid annually at a set amount multiplied by the measured AC energy output of the PV system.
  15. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to determine equipment rebate eligibility and to calculate REC payments on factors such as shading, orientation, and tilt.
  16. Systems should not be installed prior to receipt of pre-approval by Black Hills Energy.
  17. All equipment must be listed by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) and meet the minimum standards of UL 1741 and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in effect at the time of purchase.
  18. PV modules must be warranted for a minimum period of 20 years. All other components (with the exception of batteries), labor and installation must be warranted for a minimum period of five years, and must be maintained by the owner to ensure that they remain operational for the duration of the agreement with Black Hills Energy.
  19. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to inspect your PV system installation and a copy of your installation contract in order to ensure compliance with program requirements.
  20. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to post-installation follow-up visit(s) in order to verify actual output.
  21. Incentive rebates will be calculated based on the rebate amount in effect at the time a completed application is received by Black Hills Energy. Submitting an application does not guarantee an incentive payment.
  22. Black Hills Energy will not be liable for any tax liability imposed as a result of rebate payments.
  23. The rebate amount cannot exceed the total cost of the system.
  24. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to modify this program at any time in accordance with the rules established by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
  25. Effective January 1, 2012 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations are subject to on-site supervision by a NABCEP certified professional to maintain a 3:1 ratio for the installation crew (1 certified installer for every 3 solar installers).

Note: Black Hills Energy recommends that your site is reviewed by your installer to determine if any factors exist that may hinder the solar production such as shading, array tilt and orientation limitations, as this will effect the PBI payments.

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