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Discover the Power of Solar Energy in Colorado!

Welcome to Colorado, a state known for its majestic mountains, vast plains, and an ambitious stance on renewable energy. Colorado?s unique climate, featuring over 300 days of sunshine a year, makes it an exceptional place for solar power generation. This natural advantage provides a promising opportunity for homeowners and businesses to embrace clean, renewable energy. With competitive incentives to ease the initial setup costs and a community deeply invested in environmental preservation, Colorado is gearing up for a remarkable solar journey. Learn how tapping into Colorado?s abundant solar resources can brighten your home, reduce energy costs, and contribute to a healthier planet right in the Centennial State. Join us in unlocking the sun?s vast potential and stepping into a brighter, more sustainable future in Colorado.

Solar State Incentives

Colorado State Solar Incentives

Boulder County - Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) rebates
PACE provides free expert advice and financial incentives to businesses, offering support in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable practices.
Community Solar Gardens and Community Geothermal Gardens
Colorado legislation allows the expansion of community solar gardens, with increased size limits and flexible location requirements. A new program for community geothermal gardens was also introduced.
Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program
The RENU Loan Program for home energy upgrades has moved to the Colorado Clean Energy Fund. Eligibility extends to Colorado property owners.
C-PACE: Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy
Colorado's statewide PACE program allows property owners to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, or water conservation improvements. The repayment period is limited by the effective useful life of improvements.
Xcel Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Financing
Xcel Energy partners with Elevations Credit Union to offer loans for home energy efficiency upgrades. These can be combined with rebates for affordability.
Green Colorado Credit Reserve
The Green Colorado Credit Reserve incentivizes private lenders to offer small commercial loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.
Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan program
Colorado RENU Loan offers low-cost, long-term financing for home energy upgrades. Fixed rates start at 2.74% with loan terms up to 20 years.
City and County of Denver - Solar Panel Permitting
Denver, the first "Solar Friendly Community" in the US, offers streamlined permit processes for solar panel projects, with same-day reviews available.
City and County of Denver - Elevations Energy Loans
Elevations Energy Loan, in partnership with Boulder County and City/County of Denver, helps finance energy efficiency projects. Support provided through EnergySmart and Denver Energy Challenge.
Boulder County - Elevations Energy Loans
Elevations Energy Loan offers low-cost financing for energy efficiency projects in Boulder and Denver. Support services include energy advising and contractor selection.
Xcel Energy - Solar Rewards Program
XCel's Solar Rewards Program offers payments for energy produced by solar systems. Eligibility requires Xcel Energy customership, valid account, and approved equipment.
Roaring Fork Valley - Energy Smart Colorado Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Energy Smart Colorado aids residents in multiple counties with identifying, financing, and executing energy improvements in homes, offering rebates and assistance.
City of Aspen - Rebate Program
Aspen City promotes energy efficiency in homes and offices with rebates on energy-saving appliances and installations. More info on 2023 rebates available online.
Boulder County - EnergySmart Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
EnergySmart for Boulder County offers free energy advisory services to homeowners, helping them improve home energy efficiency and identify applicable rebates.
San Miguel Power Association - Renewable Energy Rebate Program
SMPA offers rebates to customers installing renewable energy systems. Leased systems are ineligible. For more info, visit SMPA's website.
Property Tax Exemption for Residential Renewable Energy Equipment
Colorado offers property tax exemption for residential renewable energy systems with production capacity of up to 100 kilowatts, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass facilities.
City of Boulder - Solar Sales and Use Tax Rebate
Boulder offers a solar sales and use tax rebate, refunding 35% of unrestricted funds to solar system owners, while the remaining 65% funds a Solar Grant Program.
Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment
Colorado exempts state sales and use tax on components used in renewable energy production, encouraging sustainable practices and development.
Solar Construction Permitting Standards
Colorado sets caps on permit fees for solar and geothermal energy systems, with maximums of $500 for residential and $1,000 for non-residential applications till 2029.
City of Boulder - Solar Grant Program
Solar Grant Program offers grants for PV and solar water heating installations in income-qualified homes and non-profit organizations, covering up to 50% of costs.
City of Denver - Green Building Requirement for City-Owned Buildings
Denver's Executive Order 123 mandates LEED Gold Certification for new city building projects over 5,000 sq ft, aiming for LEED Platinum where feasible. City's 2020 goal includes reducing energy use by 20%.
Fort Collins - Green Building Requirement for City-Owned Buildings
Fort Collins City Council mandates new city-owned buildings over 5,000 square feet to meet LEED Gold certification for green building. Exceptions apply under certain conditions.
Local Option - Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Colorado allows counties and municipalities to offer tax rebates or credits for installing renewable energy systems on residential and commercial properties.
Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Colorado's SB07-145 legislation provides tax rebates or credits to property owners who install renewable energy systems. These incentives aim to promote economic development and prevent business relocation.
Mandatory Green Power Option for Large Municipal Utilities
Colorado mandates municipal electric utilities to offer green-power programs, supporting renewable technologies, to over 40,000 customers.
Renewable Energy Property Tax Assessment
Renewable energy properties with a capacity of 2 MW or less are locally assessed for taxes, while systems over 2 MW are state-assessed. The Division of Property Taxation determines nonrenewable comparison values annually.
Building Energy Code
Colorado encourages voluntary adoption of energy codes. 95% of new homes built adhere to the IECC 2009. Builders must offer solar energy and energy-efficient appliances options to homebuyers.
Black Hills Energy - Solar Power Program
Black Hills Energy offers performance-based incentives for photovoltaic systems, earning renewable energy credits from PV-generated electricity.
Colorado Springs Utilities - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Colorado Springs Utilities offers rebates to businesses for energy and water efficiency measures, with varying amounts based on equipment details.
Greening of State Government
Colorado has implemented mandatory sustainable requirements for state-owned buildings, with executive orders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, and promote energy efficiency.
Fort Collins Utilities - Home Efficiency Loan Program
Fort Collins Utilities offers low-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at homes with up to 15 years financing.
Interconnection Standards
In 2005, Colorado adopted net metering and interconnection standards, applying to utilities with 40,000+ customers and all electric cooperatives. Three levels of interconnection were established for systems up to 10 MW.
Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program
Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Program provides incentives for grid-connected PV system installations, with different offers based on system size and ownership. Net metering is also available.
Roaring Fork Valley - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program
Energy Smart Colorado, the first rural consortium in the U.S. for residential energy efficiency, offers rebates and financing for energy improvements in homes.
City of Boulder - Solar Access Ordinance
Boulder's 1982 ordinance guarantees solar access for homeowners and renters, setting limits on new construction shading and outlining solar siting requirements.
City of Aspen and Pitkin County - Renewable Energy Mitigation Program
Aspen and Pitkin County have regulations promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings, including a unique Renewable Energy Mitigation Program for larger properties.
Holy Cross Energy - Renewable Energy Rebate Program
Holy Cross Energy's WE CARE program provides incentives for customers installing renewable energy systems, with benefits varying based on system size and type.
City of Boulder - Green Points Building Program
Boulder Green Points Building Program mandates sustainable building components in residential construction, with energy efficiency compliance checked through HERS. Commercial buildings must meet city's Energy Conservation Code.
Net Metering
Colorado allows net metering for customer-generators with renewable energy systems, offering non-discriminatory rates and the ability to accumulate credits or donate excess power to low-income assistance programs.
Mandatory Photovoltaic System Cost Estimate
Colorado utilities must provide a free cost comparison of PV systems to distribution line extensions for customers with specific load data and peak demand.
Colorado Solar/Wind Easements and Rights Law
Colorado's 1979 solar access laws override restrictions prohibiting renewable energy devices or energy efficiency measures, with certain safety and aesthetic exceptions.
Renewable Energy Standard
Colorado's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of electricity from renewable or recycled energy, with specific requirements for investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities. Renewable energy storage has been added as an eligible technology in 2021.

Federal Solar Incentives

USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants
REAP, administered by USDA, provides financial aid to small rural businesses and agricultural producers for sustainable energy projects. Grants cover 25% of the project cost, up to $25 million.
Interconnection Standards for Small Generators
New FERC order mandates small generators under 20 MW to maintain operation during abnormal frequency and voltage events, enhancing interconnection efficiency.
USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Loan Guarantees
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) supports agricultural producers and rural businesses in the US by providing financial aid for renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements.
Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs)
Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) were used by public entities to fund renewable energy projects. They were repealed in 2017.
Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs)
Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) financed energy projects by local governments. Discontinued in 2018, they offered tax credits as interest to bondholders.
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs - Funding Opportunities
The DOE's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs aids tribes in attaining energy self-sufficiency and economic growth through renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
Fannie Mae Green Financing – Loan Program
Fannie Mae's Green Financing offers loans for multifamily properties aiming for energy and water efficiency improvements. Eligible properties can access favorable rates and additional loan proceeds.
Energy-Efficient Mortgages
Energy efficient mortgages (EEM) allow homeowners to finance energy-saving renovations or purchase new energy-efficient homes. These loans, insured by the U.S. government, aim to promote energy efficiency.
Green Power Purchasing Goal for Federal Government
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 set a goal for federal buildings to use 7.5% renewable energy by 2013. This target was increased to 30% by 2025 but later rescinded in 2018.
USDA - High Energy Cost Grant Program
USDA's grant program, enhancing energy generation in rural areas, concluded its latest application period on July 6, 2021. Updates can be found on the program website.
Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal)
US law exempts energy conservation subsidies provided by utilities from taxation but requires adjustments for federal tax credits. IRS guidance on solar rebates is unclear.
Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
H.R. 5376 extends tax credit for energy storage systems and excludes biomass heaters, with credit amounts varying by technology type and installation date.
U.S. Department of Energy - Loan Guarantee Program
The Inflation Reduction Act has allocated $11.7 billion to the LPO for new loans, boosting loan authority by $100 billion, and setting up the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Program.
Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 updates the federal Business Energy Investment Tax Credit, introducing new eligibility criteria, bonus credits, and transitions the tax credit to a new section.
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 introduces changes to the federal renewable electricity production tax credit, introducing new bonus credits and eligibility criteria.
Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate)
U.S. energy conservation subsidies provided by public utilities are tax-exempt, but this does not extend to certain electricity-generating systems. Tax credits can't be claimed for unsubsidized expenses.
Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 allows 100% depreciation for qualified assets, impacting renewable energy technologies. MACRS classifies these technologies for depreciation purposes.
Energy and Emissions Goals and Standards for Federal Government
President Biden's Executive Order 14057 sets ambitious sustainability goals for the US, including 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and a fully zero-emission federal fleet by 2035.