Solar Panels Cost $4.9k-$14k in Boulder County, CO | February, 2025

NOTE: This incentive is not available as of January 1, 2021. Colorado legislators have expressed interest in renewing it, but their bill failed to pass through the Assembly. Colorado manages Enterprise Zones throughout the state. Businesses which either relocate or expand into these areas of economic hardship can claim a 3% corporate tax credit for investments within the zone up to $750,000. Renewable energy systems using solar PV, wind, biomass, geothermal, and/or hydroelectric technology are among the property that qualifies for Enterprise Zone exemptions. The maximum capacity is 30 MW for qualifying hydroelectric systems and 10 MW for all other systems. Excess tax credits from EZ investments will carry forward for up to 22 tax years if necessary.

Aspen residents who install energy-efficient building materials, systems, and appliances may be entitled to financial incentives from the city's Climate Action Office. Covered projects include new water heaters, low-flow faucets and toilets, rooftop solar PV systems, and geothermal heat pumps. Custom rebates are available for unique energy efficiency projects. Further information on city incentives is available from the City of Aspen website.

Lendkey and the Elevations Credit Union are providing residential Xcel Energy customers with specialized loans to fund energy efficiency improvement projects beyond the scope of existing rebates. LendKey's Home Energy Efficiency Loan (HEEL) is available in the entirety of Xcel's Colorado service area. The loan carries low interest rates, instant approval, and access to qualified energy contractors. The Elevations Energy Loan (EEL) is only available in Denver and Boulder County. The loan includes access to an EnergySmart Advisor who can coach homeowners through the project process, maximize rebates and incentives, and arrange necessary work on the homeowner's behalf.

Lendkey and the Elevations Credit Union are providing residential Xcel Energy customers with specialized loans to fund energy efficiency improvement projects beyond the scope of existing rebates. LendKey's Home Energy Efficiency Loan (HEEL) is available in the entirety of Xcel's Colorado service area. The loan carries low interest rates, instant approval, and access to qualified energy contractors. The Elevations Energy Loan (EEL) is only available in Denver and Boulder County. The loan includes access to an EnergySmart Advisor who can coach homeowners through the project process, maximize rebates and incentives, and arrange necessary work on the homeowner's behalf.

"With Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewable Energy," or WE CARE, is a program Holy Cross Energy manages to incentivize on-site renewable energy adoption. Residential or commercial customers installing a new solar PV, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, or geothermal system may qualify for financial rebates under the program. Incentive amounts are based on system capacity relative to four different tiers. The lowest tier, for systems up to 6 kW, yields a $500 flat rebate. Additional flat amounts are available as capacity rises above the later thresholds. Qualifying systems must be interconnected to the grid under a net metering arrangement. To apply, the customer should file a Generator Interconnection Application prior to the start of installation work. They may then choose a HCE-certified contractor to perform the installation. Additional program information is available from the Holy Cross Energy website.

Through the EnergySmart program, commercial properties in Boulder County may be eligible for consulting services and financial incentives to improve their home's energy efficiency. Each participant will be assigned an "energy advisor" who can audit property, suggest energy improvements, coordinate installation work, and apply for financial incentives on their behalf. A variety of projects qualify for incentives when undertaken by a city-certified contractor, and occasionally rebates through EnergySmart may add to additional local incentives offered through city governments or local utilities. Certain rebate ceilings apply depending on the nature of the projects. For example, there is a $10,000 limit on renewable energy rebates and a $5,000 (or 50% of project cost) limit on HVAC improvements. Additional information and program applications may be found on the Boulder County website.

Through the Energy Smart Colorado program, residences in the Roaring Fork Valley area (Eagle, Gunnison, Lake, and Pitkin Counties) may be eligible for specialized loans at 3.75% APR to fund home energy efficiency improvements. Each participant will be assigned an "energy advisor" who can audit property, suggest energy improvements, coordinate installation work, and apply for loans and additional incentives on their behalf. A variety of projects qualify for incentives when undertaken by a city-certified contractor, and occasionally rebates through EnergySmart may add to additional local incentives offered through city governments or local utilities. Information about the loan program is available through Energy Smart Partners.

Communities in the Xcel Energy Colorado service area are incentivized to develop community solar gardens through the Solar*Rewards initiative. Their current goal is to use the program to add 6.5 - 30 MW of renewable energy to their grid annually. As a community uses its CSG, they will sell the Renewable Energy Credits they generate to Xcel. An incentive applied to subscribers' bills serves as compensation for these RECs. Incentive amounts are by the kilowatt hour and vary depending on CSG capacity. Colorado's state REC program changes from year-to-year, which will affect REC prices. Eligible CSGs must have 10 subscribers under 1 kW minimum plans, with at least 5% of subscribers meeting low-income qualifications (not subject to the 1 kW minimum.) Additional information is available from the Xcel website.

Residential and small business customers of the La Plata Electric Association may be entitled to rebates on new solar photovoltaic, wind, or hydroelectric power generation systems. Incentive amounts vary depending on system capacity relative to a 10 kW threshold. Systems rated below the threshold receive a flat incentive based on capacity and estimated cost savings. Systems above the threshold receive a performance-based incentive. Qualifying solar systems must be installed by an LPEA certified contractor. Upon installation and final inspection by LPEA and any relevant authorities, incentives will appear as a recurring payment every six months for the first ten years of the system's life. Additional program information and application paperwork is available from the La Plata Electric Association website.

Colorado Springs Utilities customers who elect to install a new interconnected solar photovoltaic system may be entitled to a rebate. Incentive amounts are based on expected system performance in the area of installation, taking into account surrounding shade and the tilt of the panels. CSU will earn Renewable Energy Credits from the system's usage, a portion of which will be credited back to the customer. CSU uses standards from the California Energy Commission to determine which system components meet incentive standards. Minimum warranty requirements also apply. Further information and application paperwork are available from the Colorado Springs Utilities website.

C-PACE is Colorado's statewide property-assessed clean energy assistance program. Through the program, home or business owners may access an "open market" of lenders to fund up to 100% of clean energy-related project costs. County governments are charged with servicing C-PACE loans through a special property tax assessment. Energy savings will typically exceed the extra amount assessed, and by structuring the loans in this way, payments will be tied to the property rather than the owner. As of 2016, access to C-PACE is available in Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Eagle, Garfield, Jefferson, Mesa, Pitkin, Pueblo, and Summit Counties. Additional information is available from the C-PACE website.

Boulder residents who install solar photovoltaic or water heating systems may be entitled to a partial tax rebate from the city government. The average refund for a 4.5 kW PV system is $140, or about 15% of city sales/use tax. Property owners may apply for the refund up to one year after final inspection of the system. The remaining tax after refund supports a Solar Grant Program assisting low-income homeowners and nonprofits to adopt on-site solar energy. Additional information and program applications are available from the City of Boulder's website.

Residential and commercial solar customers with Black Hills Energy may be entitled to financial incentives by using their new solar PV system. Qualifying systems must not exceed a rating of 500 kilowatts. Incentives are performance-based and will be derived from the Renewable Energy Credits BHE earns for the specific system under state law. Funding will therefore vary from year to year, and participation in the incentive program is capped. New photovoltaic installs must be undertaken by contractors with certifications from BHE and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Additional program information is available from the Black Hills Energy website.

NOTE: This incentive is not available as of January 2021. In the state of Colorado, community solar gardens are taxed as locally-assessed properties. A 2015 law passed by the Colorado State Assembly created certain partial tax exemptions based on a CSG's AC capacity attributable to certain subscribers, including residential, municipal, and property tax-exempt customers. The incentives lasted for six tax years and expired January 1, 2021.

The state of Colorado offers various residential property tax exemptions for solar and other renewable energy equipment. Equipment owned by the property owner and used for self-consumption is exempt from state property taxes, as are larger solar generation facilities below a capacity of 100 kW. Technologies such as geothermal and biomass which generate energy for off-site consumption are state-assessed. Most residential solar panels and residential/agricultural wind turbines are considered locally-assessed property.

Xcel Energy residential and commercial customers may be entitled to financial rebates through the Solar*Rewards program if they install a new interconnected solar photovoltaic system on their property. As customers use their PV systems over a 20-year period, they will sell the Renewable Energy Credits they generate to Xcel. The incentive serves as compensation for these RECs. Incentive amounts are by the kilowatt hour and vary depending on system capacity and the type of property. Colorado's state REC program changes from year-to-year, which will affect price per REC. Since systems under Solar*Rewards must be interconnected, customers may take advantage of net metering credits to supplement the Solar*Rewards incentives. Funding for the program is allocated on a monthly basis, and program applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, interested customers are recommended to apply promptly. Application paperwork is available from the Xcel Energy website.

Boulder County renewable energy and energy efficiency loans to homes and businesses through a partnership with Elevations Credit Union. Property owners may choose from a variety of eligible projects and contractors in an "open market". The gateway into the Elevations program is through a property's EnergySmart advisor. Upon determining that loans may be necessary to fund an energy efficiency project, the advisor will submit application paperwork on behalf of the property owner. As a part of the application process, customers must pass a credit check and become members of Elevations Credit Union. Rates and fees are subject to change. Additional information is available through the Elevations website.

The state of Colorado provides for several sales/use tax exemptions on renewable energy equipment. Beginning in the 2006 tax year, any component used to generate, store, or distribute AC electricity using renewable technology is completely exempt from state sales/use tax. From the 2009 - 2017 tax years, all components used to generate, store, or distribute electricity as part of a solar thermal system are completely exempt from state sales/use tax. From the 2014 - 2019 tax years, all components used to generate, store, or distribute electricity as part of a biomass system are completely exempt from state sales/use tax. For any of these exemptions, county and municipal sales/use tax may still apply. Localities may choose to implement their own exemptions on green energy system components.

The City of Boulder requires all builders and homeowners to comply with energy efficiency standards through the Green Points and/or Home Energy Rating System (HERS) programs. A property will earn points for using energy-efficient building materials, appliances, and power systems. Score totals exist on a tiered system similar to federal LEED standards. New commercial buildings in Boulder must meet ASHRAE 90.1 or IECC 2012 standards in compliance with the local Energy Conservation Code. The City Manager enforces these standards directly buildings over 20,000 square feet even after construction is complete.

Commercial customers of Colorado Springs Utilities may be entitled to any of a series of water and energy efficiency equipment rebates. Incentive amounts vary based on the type of equipment installed. For renewable energy equipment, rebates will be based on total system capacity or estimated cost savings. For energy-efficient building materials and appliances, rebates will be based off estimated efficiency gain. During the application process, customers may choose from a variety of approved contractors. Further information on the application process may be found on the CSU website.

Beginning in 2006, the Fort Collins City Council has been enacting and updating energy efficiency standards for municipal capital improvement projects. Any new city buildings must meet the Gold level of LEED certification. Existing buildings are grandfathered in to the LEED requirement, but they are encouraged to use its principles to operate sustainably. Certain exceptions exist to balance the LEED requirement with the necessity of keeping costs low. New buildings may meet LEED Silver standards instead if it would take at least ten years longer for the city to recoup construction costs at a Gold tier. New capital built through public/private partnerships may also be exempted from the requirement at the discretion of the Fort Collins City Manager.

Denver's modern Office of Sustainability is the spiritual successor to the city's 2007 "Greenpoint Denver" initiative. New sustainability targets for the city (set as of 2020) include doubling the city's renewable energy capacity and reducing energy usage in existing buildings by 20%. In addition to setting overarching goals and advising city leaders on other sustainability practices, the Office has also set energy efficiency standards for municipal buildings. Any new city building or remodeling project after 2013 should meet at least LEED Gold certification, though designers should pursue the Platinum level wherever possible. Further, any new or existing building meeting ENERGY STAR requirements but not yet certified should pursue that certification.

The state of Colorado has held itself to a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) since Amendment 37 was approved by voters in 2004; they were the first state to adopt such a policy. Current RPS procedures require each retail electric utility to source a certain percentage of its energy from renewable means. The actual percentage will depend on each utility's ownership and the size of their service area. Solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, and synthetic gas are just a few of the technologies utilities may use to meet the standard. Annual compliance reports from each utility are made publicly available via the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Through the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Schools (REEES) program, the state of Colorado offers school districts funding assistance to build renewable energy and water efficiency systems, purchase efficient buses, and conduct other green building and procurement projects. Districts that qualify may take out low-interest loans up to $1 million with a maximum 15-year payment term. Charter schools are also eligible for funding assistance, but they must use the school district as a middleman rather than having funds disbursed directly to them. There are two application periods annually with uniform submission deadlines: one ending April 30th and one ending October 31st. The application committee will consider various criteria during the review process which are publicly available on the state Energy Office website. After the district receives loan funding, it must publish progress reports on a quarterly basis.

Since 1982, both property owners and renters within the City of Boulder have been guaranteed solar access by city ordinance. Zoning laws currently set three "Solar Access Areas" on individual lots, the locations of which depend on the type of zone. Should a property owner require additional access beyond what is guaranteed, they may obtain a solar access permit. Provided the system maintains consistent usage and function, the permit will last through the useful life of the solar system. Any new subdivisions within the Boulder city limits must be constructed with specific solar access sites. Structures within the subdivision must be capable of supporting a minimum of 75 square feet of rooftop solar panels.

Throughout their terms, Colorado governors Bill Owens, Bill Ritter, and John Hickenlooper implemented mandatory environmental standards for state government property and entities to follow. Initiatives established under each governor's executive orders include auditing agency sustainability practices, lowering consumption of paper and plastic bottles, expanding recycling and composting, investing saved energy costs in sustainability programs, and establishing building standards for new state capital construction and remodeling projects. Additional information is available from the Colorado website.

The Colorado Energy Office has established the Green Colorado Credit Reserve (GCCR) as a loss reserve incentive to private banks and lenders in the state. Individual loans of up to $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements on commercial property qualify. In the event a property owner defaults on their loan, GCCR funds can cover institutional losses on up to 15% of the total amount. The CHFA keeps a database of participating lenders and manages new applications. Institutions considering GCCR participation may apply to join if they meet prescribed guidelines.

The city of Denver is recognized as a Solar Friendly Community through its efficient and flexible solar permit procedures. Builders must apply for electrical, plumbing, and zoning permits to construct new solar panels and PV systems. Most projects will have roofing and electrical plans reviewed on the day the application is submitted. If the project is located in a Landmark District, the review process will take longer and an additional Certificate of Appropriateness may be required. New solar panel permit fees have a fee ceiling of $50 per permit. Construction fees may also apply; these will depend on the nature of each specific project. "Walkthrough fees" may also be assessed on applications for high-value projects seeking same-day review.

Colorado HB 1342 established provisions for "community solar gardens" (CSGs) managed by investor-owned utilities. The current maximum capacity for a CSG is five megawatts. Capacity limits will increase to ten megawatts in July of 2023. The law also standardizes subscriptions to CSGs throughout the state. Subscribers to CSGs must be located in the same utility service area as the CSG itself (previously, both the garden and subscriber were required to be in the same county). The minimum subscription is for 1 kW of power capacity at the total aggregate retail price. Total subscribed capacity cannot exceed the customer's average annual consumption by 120%.

The City and County of Denver offer renewable energy and energy efficiency loans to homes and businesses through a partnership with Elevations Credit Union. Property owners may choose from a variety of eligible projects and contractors in an "open market". The gateway into the Elevations program is through a property's EnergySmart advisor. Upon determining that loans may be necessary to fund an energy efficiency project, the advisor will submit application paperwork on behalf of the property owner. As a part of the application process, customers must pass a credit check and become members of Elevations Credit Union. Rates and fees are subject to change. Additional information is available through the Elevations website.

In Colorado, renewable energy systems and facilities rated under 2 MW are considered locally-assessed property for tax purposes. Local assessors should use approaches outlined by the state assessor, using cost, sales comparison, and income. Green energy systems rated for over 2 MW, as well as hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass facilities rated for any capacity, are considered state-assessed property. They are taxed at the same rates and schedules as non-renewable energy systems. Nonrenewable comparison value for state-assessed renewable energy systems is determined on an annual basis and takes into account the past five years of rates.

Homeowners enrolling in the Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) program may be eligible for specialized loans to fund energy efficiency improvement projects. The program is administered by the Colorado Energy Office with loan servicing through Elevations Credit Union. Interested homeowners will consult with a RENU advisor to determine eligible projects and obtain quotes. They may choose from a variety of eligible contractors to perform necessary work, but they must become a member of Elevations Credit Union to apply for the loan. Additional information is available from the Colorado Energy Office website.

Owners or managers of low and moderate-income housing within the city of Boulder may be eligible for grants to install solar PV and water heating systems. Local sales/use taxes from solar installations within the city fund these grant initiatives. The amount of a grant will vary from property to property, but on average they will cover up to 50% of system and installation costs after any rebates or other incentives have been applied. There are two application cycles annually with uniform submission deadlines: one ending April 30th and the other ending October 31st. Additional information for interested homeowners and nonprofits is available from the City of Boulder website.

As a "home rule" state, Colorado does not have an energy code; however, the state government has set energy efficiency standards for public-sector buildings to follow. While adoption of these standards is voluntary for local governments, the state does incentivize cities and counties to implement them with grant funding. Any Colorado city or county with its own set of building codes has historically been required to comply with different versions of the International Energy Conservation Code by 2008 at the latest. Currently, localities must enforce state residential codes. For example, the state requires single-family home builders to offer rooftop solar PV/water heating and other energy-efficient systems and appliances as an add-on option. At the very least, new homes should have the proper infrastructure to accommodate a future solar system, and the builder should provide the customer with a directory of area solar contractors.

Residential customers of Fort Collins Utilities who undertake energy efficiency improvements on their existing home may be able to finance up to 100% of their project costs under the Home Efficiency Lending Program (HELP). HELP loans are managed by any of a variety of banking partners. All loan packages have tailored low interest rates, a 15-year maximum repayment term, and no down payment. Additional information is available from the FCU website or by contacting its funding partners.

Residential customers of Colorado Springs Utilities may be entitled to any of a series of water or energy efficiency equipment rebates. Incentive amounts vary based on the type of equipment installed. For renewable energy equipment, rebates will be based on total system capacity or estimated cost savings. For energy-efficient building materials and appliances, rebates will be based off estimated efficiency gain. During the application process, customers may choose from a variety of approved contractors. Further information on the application process may be found on the CSU website.