Guide to solar panels in Denver, CO (2023)
Updated August 18, 2020
Denver is a great place to go solar. You’re probably using Xcel Energy as your utility. Xcel Energy has full retail net metering, which provides excellent savings when you install a solar panel system.
The most significant incentive to install solar panels in Denver is the 26% federal tax credit. However, the tax credit is set to step down to 22% at the end of 2020. This means in order to maximize your savings potential, the best time to go solar in Denver is now.
Another key incentive for going solar in Denver is the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards program. This helps you earn extra cash from the solar energy you produce. By entering your address into our solar panel calculator, you can see what other local incentives are available in your area.
On this page:
Current cost of solar panels in Denver
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 5.3kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$23,442-$28,651
Payback period
7-8.5 years
Recommended size for the selected utility bill
5.3kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Program<\/h3>\r\n<p>Xcel's Solar Rewards program gives customers an additional $0.005 per kilowatt hour of solar energy they produce. While this doesn't seem like much, it can add up over time, espeically when paired with full retail net metering. You can learn more about the Solar Rewards program <a href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.xcelenergy.com//programs_and_rebates//residential_programs_and_rebates//renewable_energy_options_residential//solar//available_solar_options//on_your_home_or_in_your_yard//solar_rewards_for_residences/">here.","typical_monthly_usage":694,"19":694,"solar_panel_state_page_data":{"id":127,"0":127,"name":"Colorado","1":"Colorado","slug":"colorado","2":"colorado","abbr":"CO","3":"CO","capital_city_id":559,"4":559,"description":"
federal tax credit<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>In addition CO also has above average power prices meaning overall the return on investment for an installation of residential solar panels comes in at around 9 years, this will vary from person to person somewhat.<\/p>","12":"<p>The <a rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.solarreviews.com//solar-energy//pros-and-cons-of-solar-energy///" target=\"_blank\">advantages of installing solar panels in Colorado<\/a> is there is both state based incentives and the <a href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"..//solar-incentives//federal-solar-tax-credit/">federal tax credit<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>In addition CO also has above average power prices meaning overall the return on investment for an installation of residential solar panels comes in at around 9 years, this will vary from person to person somewhat.<\/p>","disadvantages":"<p>The <a rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.solarreviews.com//solar-energy//pros-and-cons-of-solar-energy///" target=\"_blank\">disadvantage of installing solar panels for your home in Colorado<\/a> is that the available incenives are dwindling as Colorado gets closer to it's 30% Renebable Energy Target. If you own a home in Colorado you will be kicking yourself in a few years if you didn't install solar panels while these great incentives are still around.<\/p>\r\n<p>Enter your details to <a href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"..//solar-panel-calculators/">calculate the cost and savings you are likely to get from installing solar panels for your home<\/a>.<\/p>","13":"<p>The <a rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.solarreviews.com//solar-energy//pros-and-cons-of-solar-energy///" target=\"_blank\">disadvantage of installing solar panels for your home in Colorado<\/a> is that the available incenives are dwindling as Colorado gets closer to it's 30% Renebable Energy Target. If you own a home in Colorado you will be kicking yourself in a few years if you didn't install solar panels while these great incentives are still around.<\/p>\r\n<p>Enter your details to <a href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"..//solar-panel-calculators/">calculate the cost and savings you are likely to get from installing solar panels for your home<\/a>.<\/p>","useful_links":"<p><a title=\"Solar energy industries association\" rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.seia.org//state-solar-policy//colorado-solar/" target=\"_blank\">Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)<\/a><\/p>","14":"<p><a title=\"Solar energy industries association\" rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.seia.org//state-solar-policy//colorado-solar/" target=\"_blank\">Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)<\/a><\/p>","average_monthly_elec_usage":706,"15":706,"roof_pitch_degree":27,"16":27,"typical_kwh_production":1150,"17":1150,"created_at":"2019-04-10 02:11:35","18":"2019-04-10 02:11:35","incentive_overview":"<h4>Federal solar tax credit<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">The most important solar incentive in the country is the <a href=https://www.solarreviews.com/"https:////www.solarreviews.com//blog//federal-solar-tax-credit/"> See all local installers
Denver solar panel cost & savings calculator
Current solar incentives and tax credits available in Denver, CO
Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Program
Xcel's Solar Rewards program gives customers an additional $0.005 per kilowatt hour of solar energy they produce. While this doesn't seem like much, it can add up over time, espeically when paired with full retail net metering. You can learn more about the Solar Rewards program here.
The 30% federal solar tax credit explained
The most significant incentive to install solar panels for homes and and businesses is the federal tax credit. Right now, the federal tax credit is equal to 30% of the total cost to install a solar system. The amount of the tax credit is then deducted from your federal taxes. You can claim the credit over several years if the amount you owe in taxes is less than the amount of your tax credit. You can only take advantage of the federal tax credit if you pay federal income taxes. At the end of 2032, the amount of the tax credit will fall to 26%. Even though there is no rush to get the maximum tax credit value, you don’t want to wait when it comes to a financial investment like installing solar. The best time to go solar is now.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking, the higher your power usage, the greater your potential savings are from installing solar.
The average monthly electricity usage in Colorado is about 694 kWh per month. However, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes small apartments and condos.
The Denver solar panel savings calculator uses our database of electric rates from local utilities to convert your monthly power bill into how much electricity your home uses. From there, the calculator can work out how many solar panels you need to offset your power usage, how much a solar system will cost based on prices of local solar companies, and the amount of money you will save on your electric bill.
Cost and savings for a 9.77 kW average-sized solar system in Denver
Cost per watt range
$2.05 - $2.51
Average payback
7.8 - 9.5 years
Annual power production
14,774 kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
5¢ /kWh
If you don't get solar
21¢ /kWh
(forecast avg Colorado electric rates over the next 25 years)
Average solar savings on this system over the next 25 years
$45,702
(Savings shown after repayments of capital)
Related topics:
Are solar panels worth it in Denver
Solar panels have fallen in price by more than 80% in the last ten years. In 2023 they also remain subsidized by the 30% federal tax credit and the net metering law making them an excellent investment. They offer a return well above the long term average return from both the share market and also property investment.
Another way to look at this question is the levelized amount you will pay for each kWh of power you will use over the next 25 years with and without solar panels. As you can see below the savings are significant.
Going solar in CO
Check out all of the ways energy providers of can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
Table 2: Available incentive programs
| Incentive name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| RENU Loan Program | State | Loan Program |
| Property Tax Exemption for Residential Renewable Energy Equipment | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program | Utility | Performance-Based Incentive |
Table 2: Available incentive programs
|
Eligibility: Federal incentive
Type: Personal Tax Credit
|
|
Eligibility: State incentive
Type: Sales Tax Incentive
|
Note: Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
