Solar Energy

Get help going solar with Denver’s Solar Co-op and the Solar Equity Rebate Program

The City and County of Denver partnered with Solar United Neighbors of Colorado to launch the Denver Solar Co-op. Solar United Neighbors provides unbiased, installer-neutral support through each stage of the process of going solar. Their experienced team ensures you understand how solar works, how it can be financed, and how it can be installed on your home. The co-op is free to join, with no obligation to install. Limited funding is available each year to provide rebates to help income-qualified residents go solar through the Solar Co-op.

Explore solar options on your own through EnergySage

The City and County of Denver partnered with EnergySage to help consumers compare solar options. This free portal provides an easy way to assess a property’s solar capacity, get an instant estimate on solar-related energy savings, and get quotes from local, vetted installers. Advisors are available via phone, email or chat to help you to sift through quotes and answer questions. 

Disclaimer: The City and County of Denver does not endorse one solar company over another. Confirm that your installer is licensed with the City and County of Denver by checking their electrical license.   

Go Solar with Denver's Solar Co-op

Explore Solar Quotes on Your Own

Questions to answer when considering rooftop solar:

What does it cost?

• What is your cost per watt?
• What incentives can you take advantage of?
  (Buyers qualify for a 26% Federal Investment Tax Credit through 2022. The credit steps down to 22% in 2023 and 0% for residential solar in 2024. Additional, limited funding is available each year to provide rebates to help income-qualified residents go solar through the Solar Co-op.)
• How do your payment options compare?
  (Generally, you can save more by paying cash, but can avoid up-front costs with a loan.)
• How much will you save on your electricity bills?
  (You may need to share a few of your past bills to get an accurate estimate.)

What are your system attributes?

• Is your roof right for solar?
  (Your roof needs to be sturdy enough to hold your new asset! Consider community solar if your roof is highly shaded or in need of repairs.)
• What is your estimated annual production, measured in kWh?
• What percentage of your annual electricity consumption will be offset by solar?
• How will your panels be positioned (referred to as azimuth and tilt)?
  (A northern azimuth is 0 degrees. Solar panels are most productive when pointing south. Do not accept a proposal that orients panels at an azimuth greater than 270 or less than 90 degrees.)

Is rooftop solar right for you?

• Denver’s solar co-op can help you answer all of the questions above and more. Join today!

Community Solar allows renters and shaded homes to participate in solar at no upfront cost

Community solar is shared solar. This means the solar can be located anywhere in the community – like a field, a building, or a parking lot – and be assigned to any Xcel Energy subscriber. Denverites can subscribe to local solar projects for a monthly fee. Once subscribed, customers begin receiving credits on their monthly utility bill that often result in a net bill savings for customers.

Advancing climate and equity goals with the Renewable Denver Community Solar initiative

This initiative is an effort for the city to build, own, and operate 15 MW of community solar projects by 2025. The projects will be distributed across the city and hosted on municipal rooftops, over parking lots, and vacant land. Power will be shared between the host-site facilities and income-qualified community members. The initiative was recognized by the American Cities Climate Challenge as one of the Top 10 Most Noteworthy Local Government Renewables Deals of 2020.

Disclaimer: The City and County of Denver does not endorse one community solar provider over another.

Find Community Solar Options in Colorado

Learn about the Renewable Denver Community Solar Initiative

Questions to answer when considering community solar:

What does it cost?

• How much will you need to pay and what for?
  (Most commonly, community solar customers will sign a contract to either subscribe to the solar project at a per kWh rate; or pay to lease or own panels in the solar project.)
• Will your payment amount, structure, or obligations change over time?
  (Many solar providers will include a fixed annual escalator to your subscription rate to account for inflation and rising utility costs. Try to find a low escalator or avoid one altogether if you can.)
• What is the value of the bill credit you will receive from Xcel Energy?
  (Xcel updates the SRCS bill credit in their electric rate book each year. In 2020, it was $0.07008 per kWh for residential customers and $0.06423 per kWh for most commercial customers.)
• How much will you save on your electricity bills?
  (It’s uncommon, but you can ask if your community solar provider will guarantee your savings.)

What are your system attributes?

• What is your estimated annual solar allocation, measured in kWh?
• What percentage of your annual electricity consumption will be offset by solar? 

Is community solar right for you?

Denver’s solar co-op can help you answer questions and find the right option for you! 

The Denver Office of Nonprofit Engagement (D-ONE) provides $2 million each year to nonprofits to support energy efficiency programs benefitting low-income Denver residents and the nonprofits who serve them. D-ONE can connect residents to the non-profits that provide education, free energy efficiency assessments, free equipment upgrades, and bill payment assistance.

Learn About D-ONE's Free Energy Support Services