Blog Updated: August 2024

Starting in October 2018, Fort Collins Utilities transitioned to a different rate structure than what they previously offered. Instead of paying the same amount of money for all of the energy that you use, you now pay different rates of energy depending on what time of day you use that energy. This rate will be called the "Time of Use rate". The amount you pay for your energy changes depending on the time of day, the day of the week and the season. Fort Collins Utilities transitioned to this rate in order to charge customers what Fort Collins Utilities believed is the correct price of energy, as the cost to provide energy at different times of the day varies.

You can save money by moving your energy usage away from the hours of 2-7pm during weekdays, also known as the “peak” times. These rates change based on the seasons. Weekends and holidays have a lower rate of energy. The Time of Use rate is generally a good thing for solar customers. Your solar system will be producing the most energy during the peak hours, so it can offset the more expensive energy that you may use during those peak hours. For this reason, we have heard from a number of our customers that they see their utility bills decrease on a Time of Use rate.

What Are the Rates?

In summer (from May through September), on peak hours are 2-7pm. In non-summer (from October through April), on peak hours are 5-9pm. While the rates change seasonally, they also fluctuate annually. To get the latest prices for electricity from the City of Fort Collins, check out this page.

If you want to see how your electricity bill might be affected, there is a time of day estimator tool that you can use.

The Fort Collins Utilities website helps explain the rates a bit more, and the Utilities can be reached with questions about this change at 970.221.6700.

For information on how to find your usage or contact information for Namaste Solar's utility coordinator, click here.