Xcel is a Minneapolis- based monopoly ... Xcel is guaranteed a profit on every dollar it spends building new facilities. This is a tremendous incentive for Xcel..
The HELOC I took out to buy my solar will be paid off in 11 years with the savings I have in my power bill. That assumes an inflation rate of 2% to 3% per year on the kWh charge. If the inflation rate is higher because their being a monopoly has only the state standing in their way, I'll put even more energy savings into my HELOC.
Every month I calculate what my true kWh rate is with all the invisible riders they put into it. That's because I still buy some power from the grid, thus I get a bill showing the kWh purchased, how much my bill is, and I know what the monthly flat rate is just to stay connected. Meanwhile, my solar system also tracks what I buy from the grid. It also tracks how many kWh I consume, regardless of if it came from the grid or solar. The amount I consume minus the amount I buy from the grid equals the number of kWh I saved with solar. I multiply that by the rate and it tells me how many dollars I saved that month. That's how much I pay into my HELOC that month, which pays it off sooner than if I paid just the minimum payment.
When my HELOC is paid off any money I save beyond that will be to expand/repair my solar system to make me a little more independent, then a little more, and a little more. Eventually I might be 95% independent from the energy monopolies and their state and federal crooks.