Solar energy strikes big in the Centennial State

The state of solar in Colorado

The Centennial State is one of the sunniest regions in the country, thanks to its annual average of 300 days of sunshine and mild weather.* With the state’s abundance of sunshine, it’s no wonder that 86% of its buildings are solar-viable with the capacity to produce 24.7 million MWh AC each year.*

How much solar energy does Colorado produce?

As of the first quarter of 2021, Colorado is the 14th state in the nation for solar power production, with 1,755.9 MW installed, capable of powering up to 340,720 homes.* Though the state has a great potential to be a beacon for clean energy, only 3% of its electricity came from solar power in 2019.*

What are the advantages of going solar in Colorado?

Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change. In Colorado, the top three contributors to air pollution are transportation, electric power, and buildings.*

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, clean energy is the way to go. Solar solutions don’t emit greenhouse gases, so the panels have virtually no impact on the global climate. You could reduce your household’s carbon footprint by more than 35,000 pounds of harmful emissions per year by switching to home solar panels.*

How much does solar cost in Colorado?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:

• The household’s energy needs
• Quality of the solar panels
• Solar system provider
• Size and angle of the roof

All Colorado residents can claim the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) when they file their income taxes for the year they install a new solar system on their private residence. With the ITC, you can receive a 30% tax credit on the entire cost of solar PV panels, installation, permitting, and labor.^*

Net metering is another program that incentivizes residents to go solar in Colorado. Under this program, property owners can sell back the surplus solar energy their system produces to the local electric grid for credit on their utility bills.*

Local rebates also make it easy to go solar without requiring a high budget. Many local organizations and utility companies provide cash rebates to residents and customers who invest in solar power for their homes and businesses.

For example, Holy Cross Energy, which serves the Western Colorado Counties of Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield, Mesa, and Gunnison, provides customers with a per-kW rebate to reduce solar system installation expenses. This rebate saves homeowners an average of $4,500 on a typical 6 kW system installation.*

Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Colorado?

If you’re ready to go solar in Colorado, reach out to a licensed solar energy provider who works with residents in your area. Attempting to go solar without professional guidance is possible, but it takes a substantial amount of time, research, and effort to get the job done right. With an experienced solar installer, you can be sure you’ll have the perfect solar solutions for your home or business.

Professional solar energy providers have access to various solar solutions, including high-quality solar panels and storage equipment. They also stay informed about the state and federal tax incentives and rebates that will reduce your overall expenses so that you can immediately reap the benefits of going solar.