Xcel Energy has recently shifted its peak electricity pricing window to 5–9 PM on weekdays, a change that’s catching many Colorado homeowners off guard. While time-of-use (TOU) plans were originally designed to reward customers who could shift energy use to off-peak hours, this new peak window makes that harder than ever—especially for working families.
At Golden Solar, we’re seeing a growing number of customers discover that with Xcel’s updated rate structure, a flat rate plan is often the better deal for most households.
What Changed With Xcel Energy Peak Rates?
Under Xcel Energy’s current residential TOU plans, electricity costs more during weekday evenings from 5–9 PM—a time when most homes are using the most power.
This peak window now overlaps with:
- Cooking dinner
- Running lights and electronics
- Heating or cooling the home
- Charging devices and EVs
- Family time at home
In other words, it’s no longer a niche usage period—it’s the heart of daily home energy use.
Why Time-of-Use Is Harder to Manage Now
TOU plans work best when customers can easily shift energy use to cheaper hours. But the new 5–9 PM peak period makes that unrealistic for many Colorado households.
For example:
- Solar panels produce less energy in the evening
- Delaying cooking, laundry, or climate control isn’t practical
- Work-from-home and hybrid schedules increase evening usage
- Winter heating demand often peaks after sunset
As a result, many homeowners are unintentionally paying higher average electricity rates, even if they’re trying to be energy-conscious.
Why a Flat Rate Plan Is Often the Better Choice
A flat rate plan charges the same price per kilowatt-hour regardless of time of day. With Xcel’s new peak hours, this simplicity can translate into real savings.
For many customers, flat rates offer:
- Predictable monthly bills
- Protection from expensive evening peak charges
- Less need to “schedule life” around electricity prices
- Better alignment with typical household usage
When energy use naturally clusters in the evening—as it does for most families—a flat rate often results in a lower effective cost than TOU pricing.
What This Means for Solar Customers
The shift to 5–9 PM peak rates has important implications for solar homeowners as well.
Without battery storage:
- Solar production peaks earlier in the day
- Evening usage is pulled from the grid at higher TOU rates
- Bill savings may be less than expected under TOU plans
For many solar-only customers, a flat rate plan better matches solar production with household consumption, simplifying savings and improving overall value.
For customers with batteries, TOU rates can still make sense—but only when systems are carefully designed and programmed. For everyone else, flat rates often win.
Why Xcel’s Changes Matter More in Colorado
Colorado’s climate and lifestyle amplify the impact of evening peak pricing:
- Cold winter evenings increase heating demand
- Hot summer afternoons extend AC use into peak hours
- Shorter winter days reduce evening solar output
- Front Range households tend to be home and active at night
These factors make it harder to avoid peak usage—tilting the scales toward flat rate plans for many Xcel customers.
How Golden Solar Helps You Choose the Right Rate Plan
Choosing the right utility rate is just as important as choosing the right solar system. At Golden Solar, we analyze:
- Your household’s energy usage patterns
- Xcel Energy rate options
- Solar production potential
- Future additions like EVs or batteries
Our goal is simple: maximize savings and minimize surprises, whether you’re going solar now or planning ahead. If you’re considering solar or already have it, Golden Solar can help you make sense of Xcel’s evolving rates and ensure your system works for your lifestyle—not against it.