Colorado Solar Incentives

Colorado Solar Incentives, Tax Credits, and Rebates

There are several incentives in Colorado that make investing in solar and renewable energy cost-effective.

Colorado residents and business owners who install solar panels are eligible for rebates and tax credits that can help reduce the cost of going solar. The state has a high rate of solar adoption and a strict renewable energy mandate, making it one of the best states in the country for solar energy. Local utility companies offer rebates to customers who switch to solar power, and the state also offers tax exemptions for solar equipment.

In addition, Colorado residents are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit, which reimburses 30% of the cost of installing a solar power system.

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Colorado Incentive Database

Name	State	Category	Type
Xcel Energy - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Aspen Electric - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Renewable Energy Standard	CO	Regulatory Policy	Renewables Portfolio Standard
Aspen Solar Pioneer Program - PV Production Incentive	CO	Financial Incentive	Performance-Based Incentive
Colorado Solar/Wind Easements and Rights Law	CO	Regulatory Policy	Solar/Wind Access Policy
Mandatory Photovoltaic System Cost Estimate	CO	Regulatory Policy	Line Extension Analysis
Fort Collins Utilities - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
City of Boulder - Green Points Building Program	CO	Regulatory Policy	Building Energy Code
Denver - Sustainable Building Guidelines	CO	Regulatory Policy	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Holy Cross Energy - Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Aspen - Renewable Energy Goal	CO	Regulatory Policy	Renewables Portfolio Standard
City of Boulder - Green Power Purchasing	CO	Regulatory Policy	Green Power Purchasing
City of Aspen and Pitkin County - Renewable Energy Mitigation Program	CO	Regulatory Policy	Building Energy Code
City of Boulder - Solar Access Ordinance	CO	Regulatory Policy	Solar/Wind Access Policy
Solar Contractor Training Programs	CO	Regulatory Policy	Solar/Wind Contractor Licensing
Holy Cross Energy - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Gunnison County Electric - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Aspen - Grid-Tied Micro Hydro Grant	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Aspen and Pitkin County - Efficient Building Program	CO	Regulatory Policy	Building Energy Code
Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Refueling - Corporate Tax Credit	CO	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
Fuel Mix Disclosure	CO	Regulatory Policy	Generation Disclosure
Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Refueling - Personal Tax Credit	CO	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit
Gunnison County Electric - Renewable Energy Resource Loan	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Roaring Fork Valley - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Aspen - Solar Power Pioneer Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Colorado Electric Cooperatives - Interconnection Standards	CO	Regulatory Policy	Interconnection
Xcel Energy - Interconnection Standards	CO	Regulatory Policy	Interconnection
Denver - Solar Access	CO	Regulatory Policy	Solar/Wind Access Policy
Denver - Solar Contractor Licensing	CO	Regulatory Policy	Solar/Wind Contractor Licensing
Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Performance-Based Incentive
Interconnection Standards	CO	Regulatory Policy	Interconnection
Colorado Springs Utilities - Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Fort Collins Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Fort Collins Utilities - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Fort Collins Utilities - Home Efficiency Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
La Plata Electric Association - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Empire Electric Association - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Longmont Power & Communications - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
San Miguel Power Association - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Grand Valley Rural Electric Association - Net Metering	CO	Regulatory Policy	Net Metering
Colorado Springs Utilities - Home Improvement Financing	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Xcel Energy - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Greening of State Government	CO	Regulatory Policy	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Colorado Springs Utilities - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Colorado Springs Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Estes Park Light and Power - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Longmont Power & Communications - Efficiency Works for Business Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Longmont Power & Communications - Residential and Commercial Appliance Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Loveland Water & Power - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Building Energy Code	CO	Regulatory Policy	Building Energy Code
Delta-Montrose Electric Association - Residential GeoExchange Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Holy Cross Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Holy Cross Energy - Commercial and Industrial Grant Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Mountain View Electric Association, Inc - Energy Efficiency Rebates Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Poudre Valley REA - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
United Power - Residential Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Boulder - Climate Action Plan Fund	CO	Regulatory Policy	Public Benefits Fund
Roaring Fork Valley - Energy Efficient Appliance Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Renewable Energy Property Tax Assessment	CO	Financial Incentive	Property Tax Incentive
Sangre De Cristo Electric Association - Energy Efficiency Credit Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Eagle County - Eagle County Efficient Building Code (ECO-Green Build)	CO	Regulatory Policy	Building Energy Code
Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems	CO	Financial Incentive	Property Tax Incentive
Local Option - Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems	CO	Financial Incentive	Sales Tax Incentive
La Plata Electric Association - Renewable Generation Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Fort Collins - Green Building Requirement for City-Owned Buildings	CO	Regulatory Policy	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
New Energy Economic Development Grant Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Clean Energy Fund	CO	Regulatory Policy	Public Benefits Fund
City of Denver - Green Building Requirement for City-Owned Buildings	CO	Regulatory Policy	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Local PV Rebate Programs	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Local Insulation Rebate Programs	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Boulder - Solar Grant Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Solar Construction Permitting Standards	CO	Regulatory Policy	Solar/Wind Permitting Standards
Boulder County - ClimateSmart Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	PACE Financing
Atmos Energy (Gas) - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
SourceGas - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Colorado Natural Gas - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Gunnison County Electric - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Local Option - Improvement Districts for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements	CO	Financial Incentive	PACE Financing
La Plata Electric Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Delta-Montrose Electric Association - Residential Weatherization Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Empire Electric Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Southeast Colorado Power Association - Renewable Energy Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Black Hills Energy (Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Black Hills Energy (Electric) - Residential Efficiency Program for Builders	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Black Hills Energy (Gas) - Commercial Energy Efficiency Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Morgan County REA - Efficiency Credit/Rebate Programs	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Xcel Energy - Home Performance with ENERGY STAR	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Boulder - Solar Sales and Use Tax Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Sales Tax Incentive
Poudre Valley REA - Photovoltaic Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Colorado - Commercial Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Longmont Power & Communications - CFL Instant Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Fort Collins Utilities - Home Efficiency Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Fort Collins Utilities - Efficiency Works - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Aurora - Residential Energy Efficiency & Conservation Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Aurora - Main Street Commercial Energy Efficiency & Conservation Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Aurora - Solar Permit Offset and Energy Audit Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Lakewood - DIY Attic Insulation Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Lakewood - Solar Permit Fee Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Southeast Colorado Power Association - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Douglas County - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Colorado Springs Utilities - Builder Incentive Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Black Hills Energy (Electric) - Commercial Energy Efficiency Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Black Hills Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
United Power - Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
San Miguel Power Association - Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
San Miguel Power Association - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Highline Electric Association - Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Direct Lending Revolving Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard	CO	Regulatory Policy	Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
City of Aurora - Solar Domestic Water Heater Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Boulder County - EnergySmart Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Xcel Energy (Gas) - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
United Power - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Delta-Montrose Electric Association - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City of Aspen - Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Xcel Energy (Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City and County of Denver - Denver Energy Challenge for Businesses	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Loveland Water & Power - Refrigerator Recycling Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Poudre Valley REA - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Roaring Fork Valley - Energy Smart Colorado Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Eagle County - Solar Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Boulder County - EnergySmart Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
City and County of Denver - Denver Energy Challenge for Residents	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
San Isabel Electric Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Empire Electric Association - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Holy Cross Energy - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
SourceGas - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Xcel Energy - Solar Rewards Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Performance-Based Incentive
City and County of Denver - Elevations Energy Loans	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Eagle County - Energy Smart Colorado Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Schools Loan	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Energy Savings Mortgage Incentive for New Homes	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Property Tax Exemption for Community Solar Gardens	CO	Financial Incentive	Property Tax Incentive
Income Tax Credit Carryover	CO	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit
Adams County - Energy from Community Solar Gardens	CO	Regulatory Policy	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
City of Aspen and Pitkin County - Renewable Energy Mitigation Program Grants	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Eagle County - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program (Duplicate)	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Summit County - Energy Smart Colorado Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Summit County - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Lake County - Energy Smart Colorado Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Energy Smart Colorado Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Gunnison County - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Green Colorado Credit Reserve	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Xcel Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Financing	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Xcel Energy - Non-Solar REC Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Performance-Based Incentive
Efficiency Works - Business Energy Efficiency Rebate Program (Offered by 4 Utilities)	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Efficiency Works - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program (Offered by 4 Utilities)	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
EZ Investment Tax Credit Refund for Renewable Energy Projects	CO	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
C-PACE: Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy	CO	Financial Incentive	PACE Financing
Denver City - Municipal Renewable Energy Goal	CO	Regulatory Policy	Green Power Purchasing
Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
City of Aspen - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
San Isabel Electric Association - Commercial Lighting Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
La Plata Electric Association - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Community Solar Gardens and Community Geothermal Gardens	CO	Regulatory Policy	Community Solar Rules
Electric Vehicle Income Tax Credit	CO	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit
ALT Fuels Colorado	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Energy Impact Assistance Fund Grant Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Plazas Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Can Do Colarado eBike Pilot Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Colorado Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards	CO	Regulatory Policy	Appliance/Equipment Efficiency Standards
Black Hills Energy - Ready EV Electric Vehicle Charging Rebate	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Gunnison County Electric - Electric Vehicle Rebates	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Holy Cross Energy - EV Charger Incentives	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
San Isabel Electric Association - Electric Vehicle Incentives	CO	Financial Incentive	Rebate Program
Sales Tax Exemption for Energy Storage Systems	CO	Financial Incentive	Sales Tax Incentive
Tax Credit for Residential Energy Storage Systems	CO	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit
Sustainable Rebuilding Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Sustainable Rebuilding Program	CO	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
City of Denver - Green Building Ordinance	CO	Regulatory Policy	Building Energy Code
Tax-Exempt Financing for Green Buildings, Renewable Energy & Brownfield Redevelopment	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Conservation Security Program (CSP) Production Incentive	US	Financial Incentive	Performance-Based Incentive
Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
Federal Excise Tax Exemption for Gasohol	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Exemption
Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Depreciation
Energy Star Financing and Mortgages	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
USDA Rural Housing Service Loans	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate)	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Exemption
Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI)	US	Financial Incentive	Performance-Based Incentive
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
Small Business Administration Loan Programs	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Energy-Efficient Mortgages	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs - Funding Opportunities	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Green Power Purchasing Goal for Federal Government	US	Regulatory Policy	Green Power Purchasing
Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Deduction
Energy-Efficient New Homes Tax Credit for Home Builders	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
Energy-Efficient Appliance Manufacturing Tax Credit	US	Financial Incentive	Industry Recruitment/Support
Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit	US	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit
Veterans Housing Guaranteed and Insured Loans	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Federal Appliance Standards	US	Regulatory Policy	Appliance/Equipment Efficiency Standards
Energy Goals and Standards for Federal Agencies	US	Regulatory Policy	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs)	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs)	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
U.S. Department of Treasury - Renewable Energy Grants	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
USDA - High Energy Cost Grant Program	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
USDA - Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
USDA - Repowering Assistance Biorefinery Program	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Title I Property Improvement Loans	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance (EA/REDA) Program	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)	US	Financial Incentive	Grant Program
Fannie Mae Green Financing – Loan Program	US	Financial Incentive	Loan Program
Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit (Corporate)	US	Financial Incentive	Corporate Tax Credit
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit (Personal)	US	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit
Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Tax Credit	US	Financial Incentive	Personal Tax Credit

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.