Xcel Energy Avoids $1 Million Fine Despite Delays in Solar Power Agreement
Aurora, CO – Xcel Energy has evaded a potential fine exceeding $1 million from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) due to a protracted delay in completing essential paperwork for a homeowner’s solar power system. Peter Simmons, an Aurora resident, invested over $25,000 in solar panels, expecting to receive compensation for the electricity generated. He submitted the necessary documents to Xcel in February 2023 but faced significant delays in processing.
Despite activating his system in August 2023, Simmons reported that he did not receive credits for his solar energy contributions. Frustrated, he filed an informal complaint with the PUC in late October, highlighting that Xcel had not executed the required Distributed Energy Resources (DER) agreement within the state-mandated 30 days. Under the law, Xcel could incur fines of $2,000 per day for each violation.
In June 2024, Simmons escalated the situation by filing a lawsuit in Arapahoe County, claiming Xcel was obstructing the process by providing incomplete documents. Following court-ordered mediation, Xcel finally presented a completed DER on October 4, 2024. However, complications arose when Simmons argued that it contained unauthorized provisions.
As the trial approached, Xcel dismissed Simmons’ case, redirecting the dispute to the PUC process, an action Simmons had sought since late 2023. On November 20, he formally requested over $1.1 million in fines against Xcel for the delays. PUC officials expressed dissatisfaction with both parties’ inflexibility in resolving the matter.
Finally, on October 4, 2024, the PUC accepted Xcel’s motion to dismiss the case without financial penalties, stating that Xcel had met its obligations. In response to the ongoing controversy, Xcel maintains it acted within established deadlines.
The case highlights the challenges homeowners face in navigating utility regulations and obtaining timely interconnections for renewable energy systems.
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