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
103 solar companies in Colorado provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.90 229 Reviews
Andrew Haines, over 1 month
I’ve had a good experience with Lunex so far. I was able to get a price that I felt was fair to me after talking with several companies. The sales representative, Teo, made recommendations but ultimately went with what I was interested in. He worked with me as I was gathering my funds, and I didn’t feel pressured that I needed to be done right away.The installation went well, and the installers were friendly. We connected about a small area that we both lived in. After my system was up and running then I got a text from Wilfredo who met me when I was available in the evening after work to explain the Tesla app to me. I like that we were able to share screens so we could discuss the information and both see the same thing. Overall, it’s been a very nice experience. I’m looking forward to seeing what my first bill will be, which will be the true litmus test.
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Andrew Haines, over 1 month
I’ve had a good experience with Lunex so far. I was able to get a price that I felt was fair to me after talking with several companies. The sales representative, Teo, made recommendations but ultimately went with what I was interested in. He worked with me as I was gathering my funds, and I didn’t feel pressured that I needed to be done right away.The installation went well, and the installers were friendly. We connected about a small area that we both lived in. After my system was up and running then I got a text from Wilfredo who met me when I was available in the evening after work to explain the Tesla app to me. I like that we were able to share screens so we could discuss the information and both see the same thing. Overall, it’s been a very nice experience. I’m looking forward to seeing what my first bill will be, which will be the true litmus test.
4.76 67 Reviews
Bob Mason, over 1 month
I want to have power when the grid goes down, not just save energy. Most of the solar companies were trying to sell the "packages" they wanted and were less wanting to listen to my needs. Complete energy solutions came with the system I was looking for with the ideal sized battery array. The controller allows for every option conceivable; from programing use of battery to minimize time of day billing, switching designated circuits to conserve as needed, adding an electric vehicle charging, even incorporate a generator if so desired. Permits can be time consuming but mine were done in under two weeks. Installation took two full days, the State inspection two days later, and the Core Electric inspection the following day. All went smoothly. My hat is off to Matt Fenney for the great engineering, and coordination of his team.
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Bob Mason, over 1 month
I want to have power when the grid goes down, not just save energy. Most of the solar companies were trying to sell the "packages" they wanted and were less wanting to listen to my needs. Complete energy solutions came with the system I was looking for with the ideal sized battery array. The controller allows for every option conceivable; from programing use of battery to minimize time of day billing, switching designated circuits to conserve as needed, adding an electric vehicle charging, even incorporate a generator if so desired. Permits can be time consuming but mine were done in under two weeks. Installation took two full days, the State inspection two days later, and the Core Electric inspection the following day. All went smoothly. My hat is off to Matt Fenney for the great engineering, and coordination of his team.
4.71 51 Reviews
David Garner, over 1 month
I cannot say enough about Apollo Solar. They installed solar panels to supplement our existing solar panel array. From the first encounter to the final switching on of our system, they provided incredible service. Communication was outstanding. When I called or emailed questions, I got an immediate and thoughtful response. I was kept informed about the progress on the installation every step of the way. The Apollo staff made sure to expedite the installation so that I was able to take advantage of tax credits. I had difficulties with Xcel billing for the system installed previously and Collin and Chris went above and beyond to help me sort out the billing problems even though this was unrelated to their installation. The onboarding process was seamless, and I was provided with all the information needed to switch on the monitoring system. In sum, our experience with Apollo has not only been positive, but it has also been the best service experience we have had with any contractor with whom we have done business- ever! I highly recommend Apollo to anyone contemplating a solar installation.
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David Garner, over 1 month
I cannot say enough about Apollo Solar. They installed solar panels to supplement our existing solar panel array. From the first encounter to the final switching on of our system, they provided incredible service. Communication was outstanding. When I called or emailed questions, I got an immediate and thoughtful response. I was kept informed about the progress on the installation every step of the way. The Apollo staff made sure to expedite the installation so that I was able to take advantage of tax credits. I had difficulties with Xcel billing for the system installed previously and Collin and Chris went above and beyond to help me sort out the billing problems even though this was unrelated to their installation. The onboarding process was seamless, and I was provided with all the information needed to switch on the monitoring system. In sum, our experience with Apollo has not only been positive, but it has also been the best service experience we have had with any contractor with whom we have done business- ever! I highly recommend Apollo to anyone contemplating a solar installation.
4.69 85 Reviews
Lynne Forrester, over 1 month
Everyone was knowledgeable, professional, skilled, and responsive to our questions. They designed an excellent system of high quality panels and battery system that match for our home and our needs.
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Lynne Forrester, over 1 month
Everyone was knowledgeable, professional, skilled, and responsive to our questions. They designed an excellent system of high quality panels and battery system that match for our home and our needs.
4.69 70 Reviews
Ryan, over 1 month
We had a great experience with Sunsense. The quality of the components — panels, inverters, racking, etc. — was excellent, pricing was fair for the scope and location, and communication was clear and consistent throughout the process. Like most residential solar projects, there were a few coordination details that could have been smoother, but nothing that detracted from the final outcome. We’re very happy with the system and would absolutely recommend Sunsense to others considering solar in the Roaring Fork Valley.
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Ryan, over 1 month
We had a great experience with Sunsense. The quality of the components — panels, inverters, racking, etc. — was excellent, pricing was fair for the scope and location, and communication was clear and consistent throughout the process. Like most residential solar projects, there were a few coordination details that could have been smoother, but nothing that detracted from the final outcome. We’re very happy with the system and would absolutely recommend Sunsense to others considering solar in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Anonymous, over 1 month
Good installation
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.
4.49 209 Reviews
L S, over 1 month
We've been waiting for backup battery tech to get to the point with solar panels that we'd be ready to install. On a whim, my husband scheduled a consult with Steve Michels for Smart Wave Solar. Honestly, my husband thought the orientation of our house would be unsuitable. Instead, Steve was thoroughly prepared, answered all our questions as we went along, and demonstrated clearly how solar would work on our home. Working with Steve was great as we got everything going. Then Jean Fa'amoe joined in as our project coordinator. She was immensely helpful and kept communication and our project flowing step-by-step. Jean answered every question and kept us informed with the various teams and scheduling. The onsite teams were good overall. We had a couple concerns along the way that were immediately addressed. Our project timeline was within the target window. It was exciting to have our system begin producing, using, and storing power. Then Rocky Mountain Power finished their part. Now we are about six weeks out and everything is working well. Our overall experience with Smart Wave Solar has exceeded our expectations. We definitely recommend this team for residential solar panels.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$10,650 ($2.13 per watt)
L S, over 1 month
We've been waiting for backup battery tech to get to the point with solar panels that we'd be ready to install. On a whim, my husband scheduled a consult with Steve Michels for Smart Wave Solar. Honestly, my husband thought the orientation of our house would be unsuitable. Instead, Steve was thoroughly prepared, answered all our questions as we went along, and demonstrated clearly how solar would work on our home. Working with Steve was great as we got everything going. Then Jean Fa'amoe joined in as our project coordinator. She was immensely helpful and kept communication and our project flowing step-by-step. Jean answered every question and kept us informed with the various teams and scheduling. The onsite teams were good overall. We had a couple concerns along the way that were immediately addressed. Our project timeline was within the target window. It was exciting to have our system begin producing, using, and storing power. Then Rocky Mountain Power finished their part. Now we are about six weeks out and everything is working well. Our overall experience with Smart Wave Solar has exceeded our expectations. We definitely recommend this team for residential solar panels.
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.
4.44 26 Reviews
John Brask, over 1 month
We had a not great first solar experience with a different company, but knew we wanted solar on our new home. We received quotes from 4 companies and ARE solar provided the best value for power production vs cost and they had a solid warranty to back it up. We were still skeptical - almost seemed too good to be true. But we dove in and trusted the many other positive reviews. Design and Contracting was straightforward - unlike other companies, ARE listened to what was important to us and adjusted the design to match. Installation was smooth - the workers that were onsite were considerate and install was quick. Connection with Xcel also went smoothly, backed up by proactive and detailed communication from ARE Solar. Throughout the entire process we appreciated the clear and detailed communications, the responsiveness to our questions and the transparency of the answers. Now 6+ months post install the panels are operating flawlessly, production is tracking a bit above what was expected, and we look forward to many years of enjoying the energy production from the Colorado sun.
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John Brask, over 1 month
We had a not great first solar experience with a different company, but knew we wanted solar on our new home. We received quotes from 4 companies and ARE solar provided the best value for power production vs cost and they had a solid warranty to back it up. We were still skeptical - almost seemed too good to be true. But we dove in and trusted the many other positive reviews. Design and Contracting was straightforward - unlike other companies, ARE listened to what was important to us and adjusted the design to match. Installation was smooth - the workers that were onsite were considerate and install was quick. Connection with Xcel also went smoothly, backed up by proactive and detailed communication from ARE Solar. Throughout the entire process we appreciated the clear and detailed communications, the responsiveness to our questions and the transparency of the answers. Now 6+ months post install the panels are operating flawlessly, production is tracking a bit above what was expected, and we look forward to many years of enjoying the energy production from the Colorado sun.
For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources:
Fort Collins Solar Loan Program - Offers on-bill repayment