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Power+

Your backup power partner.

Battery energy storage systems are an effective way to be able to keep your home powered during an outageand Power+ makes it easy, accessible, and affordable. 

Since extended power outages are rare, Power+ also allows you to maximize the benefit from your batteries on other days of the year. By letting us optimize the charging and discharging of your battery during times of high energy demand or renewable energy oversupply, you’ll earn a bill credit for helping us reduce our wholesale power costs.

That saves everyone money, supports clean energy, and helps build energy resilience throughout our service territory.

How does it work?

Solar and storage are better together.

DURING A POWER OUTAGE
Times we may charge your batteries From the grid
DURING SELECT PERIODS OF HIGH ELECTRICITY DEMAND
During all other times

Two ways to Power+

We’re proud to offer two different ways to participate: Power+, for members new to battery energy storage, and our new Power+FLEX, for members with existing systems looking for a more flexible option.

Power+

A GREAT SOLUTION FOR:

Power+FLEX

A GREAT SOLUTION FOR:

How are they different?

Power+

INSTALLATION COSTS
ON-BILL PAYments
Who owns the battery system?
HCE REBATE INCENTIVE
MONTHLY BILL CREDIT
CONTRACTOR
Contract Term
Eligible batteries

Power+FLEX

INSTALLATION COSTS
ON-BILL PAYments
Who owns the battery system?
HCE REBATE INCENTIVE
MONTHLY BILL CREDIT
CONTRACTOR
Contract Term
Eligible batteries

How to apply.

Power+

  • You must be in good standing (no delinquent payments within the past 12 months).
  • Once enrolled, you cannot be enrolled in Peak Time Payback.
  • Once enrolled, you cannot be enrolled in our optional Time of Use rate.
  1. Submit an online application form.
  2. Once approved, complete a site survey self-assessment form.
  3. Site survey approval completed by HCE.
  4. A Certified Installer will contact you for a site inspection and installation quote.
  5. Site inspection completed by installer and a quote for installation costs provided.
  6. HCE will request the following documents:
    1. Home-owners insurance verification
    2. Signed Distributed Energy Resource Service Agreement (DERSA)
    3. Signed Generation Interconnect Agreement
  7. The contractor will contact you to schedule the installation.
  8. Installation is completed.
  9. The system is commissioned by the contractor and HCE.
  10. The battery system is available for use.

Ready to get started with a new battery energy storage system?

Power+FLEX

  • You must already have a qualifying battery system installed before applying for Power+FLEX.
    • Members who do not already have a battery energy storage systems are invited to apply for Power+.
  • You must be in good standing (no delinquent payments within the past 12 months).
  • You cannot already be enrolled in Power+.
  • You cannot be enrolled in Peak Time Payback.
  • You cannot be on our optional Time of Use rate.
  • You must have completed the Generation Interconnect Application and signed a Generator Interconnect Agreement when the system was installed.
  • Member/Account Holder Name 
  • Service Address 
  • Email Address 
  • Phone Number 
  • HCE Account Number 
  • Gateway/Controller Serial Number 
  • Serial Numbers of All Batteries 
  • Photo of the Installed Battery System 
  • Age of the System (No older than 5 years prior to the application date) 
  • You must decide on the percentage of the system that you will allow HCE to periodically control.
  • Fill out your application.
  • We will review your application and notify you of your status within 10 business days. 
  • If approved, you will begin receiving monthly “Distribution Flexibility” bill credits based on your system’s performance.

Ready to start earning bill credits off your existing battery energy storage system?

Power+FLEX Application Coming Soon

What do other members say about Power+?

“I couldn’t be more excited about the program. During the summer months my Powerwalls and solar take care of my house power needs 100%. In the fall, the Powerwalls help supplement, but I still require grid power. The program is great to be majority self-powered and helps the grid with capacity to feed power. I would highly recommend this Power+ to anyone and think everyone should sign up because it is a great deal for homeowners.”

HCE MEMBER - AVON, CO

Frequently Asked Questions: Power+

This information is specific to Power+ participants; members interested in Power+FLEX will not have on-bill repayment and will manage their installation directly with their installer before applying for the program. 

How much does Power+ cost?

  • The average net repayment cost for Power+ varies for each member and takes into account the $500 per kW upfront rebate and the monthly Distribution Flexibility credit of $10.30 per kW of battery capacity. This will be a fixed amount on your bill for the contract term (120 months). This fee will vary depending on the system’s exact installation costs and the number of batteries installed. No additional fees or interest are charged. Energy credits could continue longer if you wish to remain in the program after the contract expires.

How long will I be paying for the batteries and what will the cost be?

  • The repayment term is 10 years. The cost will vary based on the number of batteries installed and any associated electrical work. You will see these charges and the bill credit amounts in a repayment calculation on the last page of your contract.

Will HCE pay me for the energy that my solar array stored in the batteries? 

  • When energy is stored in your batteries, it could come from two sources: your solar or the HCE system. When the batteries are discharged, you get full credit for providing that energy to the HCE system via the reverse flow of your net meter.

Is there a penalty to pay off the batteries before the 10 years is up?

  • No. You can pay off the batteries in advance and there are no penalties for doing so. You can also choose to continue to receive monthly Distribution Flexibility credits in exchange for HCE occasionally charging and discharging the batteries.

After 10 years, what happens?

  • After 10 years you will own the batteries. You can continue to receive bill credits if you continue to allow HCE the ability to occasionally charge or discharge the batteries.

Why is it better to get the batteries through HCE and not purchase them on my own? 

  • Getting the batteries through HCE allows you to spread out the payments over 10 years with no interest. Plus, you get the additional benefit of bill credits for allowing HCE to optimize our energy supply and demand. Savings can be as high as 50% by enrolling in Power+ as compared to purchasing a battery system on your own.

Am I eligible for federal and state tax credits on the cost of my system? 

  • In Power+, members do not fully own the batteries until they pay of the entire cost of their system. If a member is able to pay off the entire cost of their system by the end of the same year in which they are installed, they may be eligible for claiming the tax credits. 

How long will it take to have the batteries installed after I am approved? 

  • Installation times will vary based on each member’s site design, we anticipate a 6 to 8 month completion process.
  • After the initial HCE system site review, you will be sent a self-assessment form to provide us with information about your electric service and potential location for the batteries. Once accepted, an initial walk-through visit will be scheduled with the contractor. The contractor provides the costs to us, and we send you a contract outlining the terms and conditions as well as the repayment calculations and bill credits. You will also need to sign an interconnect agreement and provide us with a certificate of liability insurance from your homeowner’s insurance company. At that time, you are considered approved and the installation will be scheduled.

What is the purpose of a self-assessment form if you will be doing a site visit?

  • This provides us with some initial information that will be helpful to the installer and save time on the initial walk-through. It also helps us identify any potential problems up front that might be barriers to installing Powerwalls at your location.

Do I need to be concerned about wiring if my home is older? 

  • It is possible that you may need an electric panel upgrade. You will need to have a main breaker of at least 100 amps. The batteries will be wired straight into the main panel. The installation will not affect the rest of the wiring in your home.

How long will it take before the batteries are working? 

  • The installation will take 1-3 days to complete followed by an inspection after 1-2 days. Once the batteries are installed there is a commissioning process that usually takes about 72 hours. You will first see the batteries charge and then over the next couple days, you will start to see more features available through the Tesla App.
  • More information on Tesla’s website >

How long will my power be shut off for the installation? 

  • Power is usually shut off for 4 to 6 hours but could be longer depending on the electrical work required.

Are there any safety issues with having batteries installed at my property? 

  • No. We are using certified installers who have been trained specifically on equipment installations to minimize any safety risks.

Frequently Asked Questions: Battery Charging & Discharging Events

For both Power+ and Power+FLEX, what happens when HCE charges and discharges your batteries?

How often will HCE be taking the stored energy from my batteries?

  • HCE may initiate withdrawal or delay charging during times of peak demand.
  • These times are usually between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m.
  • Events will usually last 2 to 3 hours in duration.
  • HCE will target a limit of 100 peak demand event hours in a calendar year, although that limit can be revised if conditions warrant.

Will HCE initiate charging of my batteries, and if so, when? 

  • HCE will charge the batteries from the grid during times when energy is least expensive or during times of renewable oversupply.
  • Renewable oversupply will most commonly take place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., and between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and can occur any day of the year.
  • Renewable oversupply events are expected to last 3 to 10 hours in duration.
  • HCE anticipates around 85 days may include renewable oversupply events.
  • HCE will target a maximum limit of 100 renewable oversupply events in a calendar year, although that limit can be revised if conditions warrant

Can I request that HCE leave me with more than 20% stored power when they pull for a peak event? 

  • No. 20% is the minimum state of charge, and this should allow you at least a few hours of resilience in a worst-case scenario such as an outage after a peak load event. HCE has based the bill credits on this minimum state of charge, and it is built into the calculations.
  • The amount of time a battery will backup power for depends on your battery capacity and electric usage during that time.
  • Members interested in maintaining a higher percentage of stored power can do so through Power+FLEX.

Do I have full control over my battery system when HCE is neither charging nor discharging my batteries

  • Yes, outside of charging, discharging, and a short hold period after a demand event, members have full control over their batteries. 

How to tap into tax credits through Power+

Pay off your full Power+ balance by the end of your installation year for tax credit eligibility. 

Power+ provides an easy and affordable option for battery energy storage by allowing members to pay off their system over 10 years on their monthly electric bill at 0% interest.

However, with new tax rules, members who are able to fully pay off their system within the year it’s installed may now be eligible for up to 40% federal and 10% state tax credits, potentially saving thousands of dollars in the long run.

Whether you choose to spread your payments out over 10 years at 0% interest or pay your entire balance off by the end of your installation year to take advantage of the tax credits, there are great benefits to both options.

Questions?
We're here to help.