Some solar customers and installers say Xcel Energy is deliberately delaying hundreds of solar connections nationwide to avoid losing money.
They say it will take six months for utilities to install meters that connect solar systems to the grid.
"They don't have to put it in, because as soon as they do, the meter returns go down," says Paul Webster.
He and his wife June decided to move to Colorado last year and they say his son, who lives here, and our 300 days of sunshine a year played a big part in the decision.
"When we talked about our future, we wanted to make sure we were as off the grid as possible," says John Webster.
They installed a solar power system on the roof just in time for winter, but will be happy to use the power before winter is over: "We have a nice sunny day now and I pay for the electricity." Paul Webster says. "I have 18 panels on my roof and I pay for electricity after I pay for solar. The sooner the better, is all I can say."
Xcel blames the high demand for solar installations. Mike Kreuger of the Colorado Solar and Storage Association, which represents 275 companies, blames the new portal created last summer: "It was a disaster from start to finish: missed projects, project delays, strange error messages. Every roofing company does it." In Xcel you take care of this".
Krueger says the delay is affecting hundreds of customers who are paying for systems they can't use. Meanwhile, he says, businesses lose hundreds of thousands of dollars because most aren't paid for installation until the electricity runs through them.
"Financially, it's devastating," says Doug Southard, owner of Southard's Solar Energy and Construction.
After 17 years in the business, he says it's hard to keep his doors open: "There's no accountability on Xcel's part if it gets it right, and that's what kills small contractors."
He says he has 29 customers waiting for Xcel, some of whom have been waiting since May 2022. "This is a billion-dollar company," he says. "Bringing other people from other countries is very disappointing."
The Websters also want accountability. "I want them fined for every month," says June.
Krueger calls on the Public Service Commission and the legislature to take action: "With no end in sight, constant frustration and constant impact on customers and businesses, it is time that those held in regulatory and legislative power , do something about it."
He says the delays started a year ago and got worse with the new gate. Xcel says it is in the process of hiring additional teams and processing more than 18,000 applications to connect solar panels to the grid last year, up 34% from 2021.
The Public Service Commission is investigating the delays but has not said if or when it will act.
