There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
The state of home solar in Colorado is strong! 100% of electricity now needs to come from carbon free renewable sources by 2050. Residents of the most populous areas continue to benefit from Xcel’s solar rewards program which pays extra for solar credits over 20 years. Way to go, lawmakers!
Xcel has released a nice program called Solar*Rewards, which earns you a little extra money for every kilowatt-hour of electricity your panels generate.
Rebates continue to be available for residents of Boulder and Colorado Springs, too. All in all, Colorado is a great place to go solar, and we know expert local installers. If you're ready to see how much you can save with solar on your roof, use our calculator above to get started.
Learn what solar incentives are available to Colorado homeowners
See what Colorado solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Colorado solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Colorado
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
In short, net metering makes sure that you get credit, either in energy or in cash, for every bit of solar energy your panels produce. Your utility will track how much solar energy you produce and how much you use, and the utility will "store" any extra your solar system produces. At night or on cloudy days, the utility credits your surplus power back to you.
Net metering is one of the keys to successful solar policy, and Colorado may just have the best net metering laws in the country. The state requires utilities to pay you for the net excess energy that your system produces over the course of a year. So if you’re smart about your energy usage, your solar panels can actually turn a profit! The utility company will literally cut you a check at the end of the year for any extra solar juice you’ve contributed to the grid.
Colorado makes taking advantage of those savings even easier, allowing you to opt either for the check or to simply roll your extra credit to any subsequent monthly bills.
The real vein of Rockies gold for solar comes from Colorado’s utility companies. They have to meet the state’s renewable portfolio standard guidelines, so they’re willing to help you put solar on your roof, just for joining the world of electricity generation.
Truth be told, though, the big, fat rebates of years past are all but gone in the Rocky Mountain State. The good news is prices for solar have dropped by about the same amount of the erstwhile rebate money! The rebates worked!
If you’re lucky enough to be an Xcel customer in Colorado, you should definitely sign up for their Solar Rewards program. It pays you on an ongoing basis for the amount of kwh you produce with your solar panels.
You sign a contract to give your renewable energy certificates to Xcel for 20 years. They will pay you for the first 10 years at a rate of $.07/kwh, which is huge!
On an average sized 6kW system, you can expect to reap about $700 annually or $6,500 over those ten years.
A solar installation adds tens of thousands of dollars in value to your home. The good news in Colorado is that homeowners who go solar will not pay a single, solitary, Denver-minted penny in taxes on that value. Thanks, Colorado!
Also, when you install a residential solar system in Colorado you are exempt from 100% of related sales and use taxes. Now that’s how we like our renewable energy laws: simple, smart, and saving you money.
In 2020, the city of Boulder created a hefty home solar grant program. Income-qualified homeowners making less than $82,000 a year for a family of 4 can receive up to 50% of total project costs after rebates, incentives and tax credits are subtracted.
While that’s a good chunk of change, we’re curious to know how many residents will qualify, given Boulder’s relatively high living expenses. We’d love to see similar types of programs offered across more diverse areas of the state.
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Prices based on a 10.1kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
94 solar companies in Colorado provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.77 58 Reviews
Martha, 2 weeks ago
It’s a big move when an older couple puts its trust and considerable capital into as big an investment as solar panels! It also comes with loads of research and pondering when choosing a company to make that dream come true. Enter Complete Energy Solutions LLC! Knowing it would be a big outlay of cash, we agreed to research online sites like Solar Reviews, the BBB and Energy Sage for reviews. With several others, Complete Energy Systems emerged with an “elite” rating so they “made the cut” to our short list of possibilities. Additionally, we asked friends who had solar panels or knowledge about the industry for recommendations and some good acquaintances recommended Complete Energy Systems. Here’s what we found: where other very well rated companies didn’t even return our calls, Jennifer Morrison, co-owner of Complete Energy Systems was immediately responsive and very forthcoming with information and patiently answered our questions. We learned CES is a twenty year old local firm, based in Arvada, CO and the definition of a family business. It’s owned and run by Jennifer and her husband, the very professional and competent Matt Morrison. We were also attracted to the “genuine” feeling of this firm and contracted with them in early September. Jennifer visited or was available by phone many times before the real installation. They took our suggestions seriously, obtained the necessary permits. The installation went smoothly thanks to the work and expertise of Matt and Jennifer as well as their team which included members of their family (their actual offspring). This is the definition of an American family business. The installation took place in October where here in Conifer with its unpredictable weather but they forged ahead with what seems to be a very good job with quality components. The system has been up and running for about two weeks and so far we’re very pleased. The few times we’ve phoned with questions, they’ve been very forthcoming.
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Martha, 2 weeks ago
It’s a big move when an older couple puts its trust and considerable capital into as big an investment as solar panels! It also comes with loads of research and pondering when choosing a company to make that dream come true. Enter Complete Energy Solutions LLC! Knowing it would be a big outlay of cash, we agreed to research online sites like Solar Reviews, the BBB and Energy Sage for reviews. With several others, Complete Energy Systems emerged with an “elite” rating so they “made the cut” to our short list of possibilities. Additionally, we asked friends who had solar panels or knowledge about the industry for recommendations and some good acquaintances recommended Complete Energy Systems. Here’s what we found: where other very well rated companies didn’t even return our calls, Jennifer Morrison, co-owner of Complete Energy Systems was immediately responsive and very forthcoming with information and patiently answered our questions. We learned CES is a twenty year old local firm, based in Arvada, CO and the definition of a family business. It’s owned and run by Jennifer and her husband, the very professional and competent Matt Morrison. We were also attracted to the “genuine” feeling of this firm and contracted with them in early September. Jennifer visited or was available by phone many times before the real installation. They took our suggestions seriously, obtained the necessary permits. The installation went smoothly thanks to the work and expertise of Matt and Jennifer as well as their team which included members of their family (their actual offspring). This is the definition of an American family business. The installation took place in October where here in Conifer with its unpredictable weather but they forged ahead with what seems to be a very good job with quality components. The system has been up and running for about two weeks and so far we’re very pleased. The few times we’ve phoned with questions, they’ve been very forthcoming.
4.68 64 Reviews
Tom Van Ness, over 1 month
Very good customer service - on our vacation home. Matt and the team were able to plan, coordinate rebates, deal with the power company and get everything installed even with part shortages, etc. Also were great about a rebate that expired before install - kept their end of the deal. Now we are our own little power company.
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Tom Van Ness, over 1 month
Very good customer service - on our vacation home. Matt and the team were able to plan, coordinate rebates, deal with the power company and get everything installed even with part shortages, etc. Also were great about a rebate that expired before install - kept their end of the deal. Now we are our own little power company.
4.67 32 Reviews
Tim Bode, over 1 month
Apollo has been amazing from the start all the way to the finish of our solar project! We went with Apollo vs one of the larger competitors as Apollo was authentic and honest from day one, and they felt the exact opposite of what the other larger competitor was trying to force upon us with dishonest and almost 'used-car' sales practices that almost made us turn away completely from solar. I strongly recommend Apollo as they have amazing customer service, are always willing to help or answer questions, and they did an amazing job from the planning to the implementation to testing/power on! We couldn't be happier, thank you!!
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Tim Bode, over 1 month
Apollo has been amazing from the start all the way to the finish of our solar project! We went with Apollo vs one of the larger competitors as Apollo was authentic and honest from day one, and they felt the exact opposite of what the other larger competitor was trying to force upon us with dishonest and almost 'used-car' sales practices that almost made us turn away completely from solar. I strongly recommend Apollo as they have amazing customer service, are always willing to help or answer questions, and they did an amazing job from the planning to the implementation to testing/power on! We couldn't be happier, thank you!!
Anonymous, over 1 month
Good installation
4.61 36 Reviews
DK, 3 weeks ago
stellar energy contractors went out of business and I was worried because I needed a new inverter installed. I met Eric at DIA, he had photon brother hat or shirt on ( do not remember). I explained my situation to Eric and he offered to help, I would not be able to fix this anytime soon if I had not met Eric and the team. Thank you all. Eric - Director of Project Management William Iles Project Manager Mark - technician Nate - Service Manager who scheduled my appointment Tom - Service Coordinator
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Average cost (5kW system)
$17,250 ($3.45 per watt)
DK, 3 weeks ago
stellar energy contractors went out of business and I was worried because I needed a new inverter installed. I met Eric at DIA, he had photon brother hat or shirt on ( do not remember). I explained my situation to Eric and he offered to help, I would not be able to fix this anytime soon if I had not met Eric and the team. Thank you all. Eric - Director of Project Management William Iles Project Manager Mark - technician Nate - Service Manager who scheduled my appointment Tom - Service Coordinator
4.59 105 Reviews
tbholz, 1 day ago
Our system has been up and running for about 6 weeks now, and I couldn't be happier. Our initial consultation and design work with Steve Michels was great - his knowledge of solar installations and current technology is excellent, and he was very accommodating and easy to work with. His official responsibility ended once the design was complete, but he continued to check in and make sure we were taken care of. Our coordinator Jayne was also very easy to work with, and kept us up to date even as the company worked through some COVID-related personnel issues that pushed our schedule out. (I would have given Smart Wave Solar a solid 5 rating, except for these delays.) I would definately recommend Smart Wave Solar if you are contemplating installing a system!
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Average cost (5kW system)
$10,650 ($2.13 per watt)
tbholz, 1 day ago
Our system has been up and running for about 6 weeks now, and I couldn't be happier. Our initial consultation and design work with Steve Michels was great - his knowledge of solar installations and current technology is excellent, and he was very accommodating and easy to work with. His official responsibility ended once the design was complete, but he continued to check in and make sure we were taken care of. Our coordinator Jayne was also very easy to work with, and kept us up to date even as the company worked through some COVID-related personnel issues that pushed our schedule out. (I would have given Smart Wave Solar a solid 5 rating, except for these delays.) I would definately recommend Smart Wave Solar if you are contemplating installing a system!
Jenny Lighthart, over 1 month
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4.50 36 Reviews
Paul, over 1 month
Well Done! Curtis is a pleasure to work with, knowledgeable, experienced, quality from start to finish. No need to call anyone else.
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Paul, over 1 month
Well Done! Curtis is a pleasure to work with, knowledgeable, experienced, quality from start to finish. No need to call anyone else.
4.50 53 Reviews
Nick K, over 1 month
We had a complicated install and the guys at Solar Power Pros did a great job patiently working through issues and helping us generate clean electricity! I would recommend Bill and his team to anyone looking to go solar. We also got an electric car charger and a subpanel installed as part of the project, and the electricians went above and beyond to make sure the installation looked good.
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Nick K, over 1 month
We had a complicated install and the guys at Solar Power Pros did a great job patiently working through issues and helping us generate clean electricity! I would recommend Bill and his team to anyone looking to go solar. We also got an electric car charger and a subpanel installed as part of the project, and the electricians went above and beyond to make sure the installation looked good.
4.48 26 Reviews
Geo Ed, over 1 month
We have lived off grid for thirty years. Our original installer retired and Renewable Energy Outfitters stepped in when we needed service. This past spring we decided to upgrade the entire system. Aaron and his two employees did a superb job. We do not have a single complaint. Aaron Mandelkorn is a superb example of how a business marketing and installing and servicing solar and also wind power should operate. We would recommend Renewable Energy Outfitters above any other company in this part of Colorado.
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Geo Ed, over 1 month
We have lived off grid for thirty years. Our original installer retired and Renewable Energy Outfitters stepped in when we needed service. This past spring we decided to upgrade the entire system. Aaron and his two employees did a superb job. We do not have a single complaint. Aaron Mandelkorn is a superb example of how a business marketing and installing and servicing solar and also wind power should operate. We would recommend Renewable Energy Outfitters above any other company in this part of Colorado.
For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources:
Fort Collins Solar Loan Program - Offers on-bill repayment