Are You Thinking About Applying for Solar?
Solar power generation is a big investment. Before signing anything, make sure that installing a solar system is right for your household, and that there are no limits on installing solar in your area (see below). If you have questions about the impact that solar will have on your electricity bill, please call us! We can provide information that will help you make the decision about whether solar is a good option for you.
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Resources |
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| The Consumer Advice division of the Federal Trade Commission is a credible resource. Their Solar Power for Your Home web page is a great place to start your research. The U.S. Department of Energy also offers a Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar. |
| Interested in adding solar or storage? Stop by the Colorado Solar and Storage Association website for tips and a list of COSSA members in Grand Junction. |
Steps to Go Solar
- Research! Determine if solar meets your goals and financial objectives. Read our guide: What Is Net Metering? How Does it Work? Solar Interconnections. Is your residence a good fit for solar panels? Consider home energy-efficiency improvements.
- Contact Grand Valley Power to review the process for adding a solar system and how it will impact your electricity bill. Are there any limits on installing solar in my area? Scroll down to view the map.
- Get quotes from several reputable installers.
- Research incentives and tax credits that might be available from federal, state and local agencies.
- Work with solar installer to submit Interconnection Application to GVP.
- Acquire appropriate building permits.
- Install system.
- Complete county inspections and work with solar installer to submit GVP's Certificate of Completion online.
- Complete GVP inspection and connection process.
Have solar questions? Email us at dg@gvp.org.
Preferred Solar Installer List
Thinking about going solar? Wondering what reputable companies to consider for your installation? Look no further.
Grand Valley Power has identified reputable installers that will work with GVP members and have our members’ best interests in mind.
These installers completed a thorough vetting process to help ensure that our members get expert advice and quality service. They signed a pledge to conduct business with integrity, honesty, and quality. All of these installers have successfully completed installations for GVP members over the past couple years.
Map: Limits on Interconnections
When power from roof-top solar systems (aka local generation) exceeds electricity demand in that same area, this poses challenges to maintaining a safe and reliable grid. Grand Valley Power is monitoring some areas within its service territory where local generation is close to meeting or exceeding the local demand for electricity. The good news is that in these areas, GVP members provide the power that is needed for themselves and their neighbors during a typical day. The unfortunate news is that this means there needs to be limitations on the interconnection of new solar systems in these areas.
The areas highlighted yellow on the interactive map below are impacted by local generation. Grand Valley Power updates the map on a regular basis; however, the cooperative could have applications under review that are not accounted for on the map. Applications are evaluated based on the real-time status of an area and not what is displayed on the map at the time an application is submitted.
What do the colors mean?
Accepting Interconnection Applications: The areas highlighted in green do not have any limitations as of the date when the map was updated.
Nearing Capacity: Applications Require Further Review: The areas highlighted in yellow are designated as “Nearing Capacity.” Interconnection applications for these areas require further engineering review. The amount of local generation in these areas is getting close to the threshold at which Grand Valley Power must limit the interconnection of new solar systems. If engineering review determines the interconnection cannot be allowed, you can sign up for the Solar Capacity Waitlist.
Not Accepting Interconnection Applications: Areas highlighted in red have reached capacity for solar systems. Grand Valley Power is not currently allowing additional interconnections in these areas. If you are in an area designated as Not Accepting Interconnection Applications and are interested in installing solar at your property, we strongly recommend that you sign up for the Solar Capacity Waitlist.
Questions? Email us at dg@gvp.org.
Renewable Energy Programs
The flexibility to do it your way! Grand Valley Power members who are interested in owning an on-site generation resource (solar, hydro, wind) are responsible for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the system on their personal property. We assist if needed, and help you submit your Interconnection Agreement.
GVP’s limits on the DC ratings of interconnected systems are as follows:
Residential accounts: Maximum of 10 kW
Commercial accounts: Maximum of 25 kW or up to 120% of historical annual kWh usage, not to exceed 100 kW.
Net-metering allows a member to offset their electric usage through on-site generation of electricity from such sources as solar, wind, hydro, etc. In essence, net-metering allows a meter to spin forward when the member is a net user of energy or backwards when the member is a net generator of electricity.
At the end of the month, a net-zero home would have spun the meter backwards as much as it was spun forward, essentially metering zero energy usage.
Read our Guide: What is Net Metering? How Does it Work? Solar Interconnections
Grand Valley Power will assist in answering questions, will help provide information and direct you to the local installers if needed.
Step 1: Once you have the system designed and are ready to move forward with the project, contact GVP and fill out an interconnection application before you begin installing the system.
- The application is used by GVP to gather information regarding the intent of your project and to verify proper sizing of GVP equipment. Once the application is completed and approved, installation can begin.
Step 2: During the installation of the equipment, the member is required to provide a copy of their homeowner’s insurance policy and complete the interconnection agreement.
Step 3: Once the system is installed and passes Mesa County Electrical Inspection, a certificate of completion must be returned to GVP before final inspection is scheduled and the system is turned on.
- Grand Valley Power will inspect the member's completed system, and if necessary, program the existing meter for net-metering before allowing the member to connect to the utility grid.
Step 4: Upon final inspection and the approval of all required documents, the system is turned on and the production of electricity begins.
Grand Valley Power currently has over 1,500 members who have grid-tie systems.
- Available to residential and commercial members within the Grand Valley Power service territory.
- The system must not exceed:
- 10 kW max (residential)
- 25 kW max (commercial) or up to 120% of historical annual kWh usage, not to exceed 100 kW.
- Applications, Agreements, and Certificates of Completion must be completed in order to proceed with on-site agreement projects.
- The inverter and automatic disconnect must be UL 1741 approved.
- An accessible, lockable, and visible AC disconnect must be installed to isolate the utility grid during times of emergency.
- Proper local permits must be obtained, and the system must pass electrical inspection by the local governing authority to connect to the utility system.
- The generated energy can only offset the energy used at the service on which it is connected, and cannot offset the energy used on another service or account.
- The meter is read during its normal billing cycle. If the member is a net producer during any month, the member will continue to be billed for the customer access charge and the excess energy will be rolled forward (banked) and available to the member the following month.
- Every year in April, the cooperative reviews all net metered accounts. If the member has banked kilowatt-hours in excess of the amount necessary to participate in the buyback for on-peak or off-peak production periods, the member will receive a check for excess energy above the thresholds for each production period. The buyback rates for on-peak and off-peak production are subject to change based on GVP's wholesale cost adjustments from the co-op's power provider. The buyback rates are determined each year during the month of April. In order to participate in the buyback, members must have banked kWh when GVP purchases excess generation in April of each year.
As part of the application packet, the following must be submitted:
1. Completed Interconnection Application (download link above)
2. Site Plan of proposed generation facilities
3. Electrical one-line diagrams
4. Application Fee (To be paid via check or credit card)
If you have multiple projects or applications in the queue, each one requires a payment and cannot be combined with others. Please note what project any payment being received is for, upon submission.
Please submit your completed application packet to:
Email delivery:
Mail delivery:
Grand Valley Power
Re: Engineering - Interconnection Application
P.O. Box 190
Grand Junction, CO 81502
Hand Delivery:
Grand Valley Power
Re: Engineering - Interconnection Application
845 22 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
If you have questions about Grand Valley Power's Interconnection Policy, please contact Member Services at 970-242-0040.
Please complete our online form - Certificate of Completion
Do you have additional questions about on-site generation? Email us at dg@gvp.org.
Enphase IQ Meter Collar
Approval Date: August 12, 2026
Form 2S Meter Type
Model Number MC-200-011-V01
Description 120/240
If you meter collar is not listed, please contact GVP at 970-242-0040 or email dg@gvp.org.
Grand Valley Power will support the adoption of portable-scale solar generation in our service territory following the enactment of bill HB 26-1007 on August 12th, 2026. To allow time to test and review compatibility with standards outlined in the bill, installation of portable-scale solar generation devices >391W to <1920W will not be allowed before January 1, 2027. Systems <391W are unregulated
Energy generated by portable-scale solar systems can offset simultaneous electric loads in the home, reducing energy purchases from the electric grid. However, the provisions of the bill stipulate that:
- Only one system is allowed per address.
- The system is limited to a maximum power output of 1920 watts (1.9 kW).
- The system is plugged into a single wall outlet.
- The system halts energy production during a power outage (anti-islanding).
- The system has been tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing lab (i.e. UL listed and labeled).
Customers must ensure that the panels are securely fastened to minimize potential safety issues and meet all current fire code and residential building code requirements. Customers with portable-solar systems assume all risks and liability associated with installation or use of a portable-scale solar generation device system. Grand Valley Power is not liable for any injuries or damage caused by installation or use of a portable-scale solar generation device system.
We suggest that customers consult a licensed electrician with any questions regarding their home’s electric service, circuit ratings, or general compatibility with such systems. If a customer installs a portable-scale solar system, GVP will not inspect the system or provide bill credits for any energy returned to the grid.
For specific questions regarding portable-scale solar, please email us at dg@gvp.org
GVP requires written notice, including equipment details and safety certifications, when the total installed PIPV exceeds 391 Watts.
Installing Plug in Solar? Please complete the GVP PIPV Notification form.
