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
101 solar companies in Colorado provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.77 65 Reviews
Michael F, over 1 month
I am absolutely thrilled with the exceptional service provided by Complete Energy Solutions! From start to finish, their team demonstrated unparalleled professionalism and expertise in installing our solar power system. First and foremost, the design process was outstanding. The engineers at Complete Energy Solutions took the time to understand our specific needs and created a customized solar solution that maximizes efficiency and savings. Their design standards ultimately outweighed cost in our consideration of contractors among the very highest rated companies on SolarReviews.com. We chose Complete Energy Solutions as the best value over the lowest cost. The quality of the components used is top-notch. It's clear that Complete Energy Solutions prioritizes using the best materials available, ensuring long-term reliability and performance. Our new solar panels are not only highly efficient but also aesthetically pleasing, seamlessly blending with our home's architecture. Communication was another area where Complete Energy Solutions excelled. Throughout the entire project, they kept us informed and updated, promptly addressing any questions or concerns we had. Their transparency and willingness to go the extra mile made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Matt spent the inspection day waiting and then escorting both the electrical and construction inspectors through the project. This ensured a single inspection was sufficient! Overall, Complete Energy Solutions delivered an exceptional product with unmatched customer service. I highly recommend this Colorado-based, Veteran-owned company to anyone considering solar power – you won't be disappointed!
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Michael F, over 1 month
I am absolutely thrilled with the exceptional service provided by Complete Energy Solutions! From start to finish, their team demonstrated unparalleled professionalism and expertise in installing our solar power system. First and foremost, the design process was outstanding. The engineers at Complete Energy Solutions took the time to understand our specific needs and created a customized solar solution that maximizes efficiency and savings. Their design standards ultimately outweighed cost in our consideration of contractors among the very highest rated companies on SolarReviews.com. We chose Complete Energy Solutions as the best value over the lowest cost. The quality of the components used is top-notch. It's clear that Complete Energy Solutions prioritizes using the best materials available, ensuring long-term reliability and performance. Our new solar panels are not only highly efficient but also aesthetically pleasing, seamlessly blending with our home's architecture. Communication was another area where Complete Energy Solutions excelled. Throughout the entire project, they kept us informed and updated, promptly addressing any questions or concerns we had. Their transparency and willingness to go the extra mile made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Matt spent the inspection day waiting and then escorting both the electrical and construction inspectors through the project. This ensured a single inspection was sufficient! Overall, Complete Energy Solutions delivered an exceptional product with unmatched customer service. I highly recommend this Colorado-based, Veteran-owned company to anyone considering solar power – you won't be disappointed!
4.71 69 Reviews
JeromeD, over 1 month
A thoroughly professional experience from initial bid to installation to follow up. Mostly kept me in the loop and if they didn’t, a quick phone call got me back in. This is probably my biggest complaint of other businesses is a failure to keep me posted on progress, particularly with un-returned phone calls. This was not the case with Sunsense.
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JeromeD, over 1 month
A thoroughly professional experience from initial bid to installation to follow up. Mostly kept me in the loop and if they didn’t, a quick phone call got me back in. This is probably my biggest complaint of other businesses is a failure to keep me posted on progress, particularly with un-returned phone calls. This was not the case with Sunsense.
4.70 43 Reviews
Andrew, 1 week ago
We are very happy with our new solar panels. Its great to be a part of something that is making for a cleaner future and generating our own electricity!
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Andrew, 1 week ago
We are very happy with our new solar panels. Its great to be a part of something that is making for a cleaner future and generating our own electricity!
Anonymous, over 1 month
Good installation
4.63 23 Reviews
Fred , 1 day ago
I have been very happy with Lumex from the sales reps to the installers. The system is working very well and I am happy to recommend Lumex.
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Fred , 1 day ago
I have been very happy with Lumex from the sales reps to the installers. The system is working very well and I am happy to recommend Lumex.
4.61 73 Reviews
Angelina B., over 1 month
Brad and the team at Solar Power Pros was really helpful in taking the time to make sure we understood how solar and how the entire process works. Appreciate them giving fair pricing, smooth installation process and making us feel happy with our solar installation decision! Couldn't be happier!
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Angelina B., over 1 month
Brad and the team at Solar Power Pros was really helpful in taking the time to make sure we understood how solar and how the entire process works. Appreciate them giving fair pricing, smooth installation process and making us feel happy with our solar installation decision! Couldn't be happier!
4.61 165 Reviews
Mike Barrett, 9 hours ago
We had Smart Wave solar install solar on our home, from beginning to end they did an outstanding job. Everyone on their team was great and our system has been doing great, My wife and I recommend them very highly. Thank you guys
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Average cost (5kW system)
$10,650 ($2.13 per watt)
Mike Barrett, 9 hours ago
We had Smart Wave solar install solar on our home, from beginning to end they did an outstanding job. Everyone on their team was great and our system has been doing great, My wife and I recommend them very highly. Thank you guys
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 1,910 Reviews
Stephen Vewue Forkpah, 6 days ago
I had a great experience with Blue Raven Solar during my installation. Blue Raven is one of the best solar energy solutions for your home. Contact them for any solar energy services. Thanks
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Stephen Vewue Forkpah, 6 days ago
I had a great experience with Blue Raven Solar during my installation. Blue Raven is one of the best solar energy solutions for your home. Contact them for any solar energy services. Thanks
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