The Mile-High City soars with solar energy

The state of solar in Denver

There’s no shortage of sunshine in the Mile-High City. On average, it has about 245 bright, sunny days a year, much more than the national average.^*bestplaces.net, Climate in Denver, Colorado (accessed 8/19/2021) About 72% of the buildings in Denver are solar-viable, with the potential to generate 3.4 million megawatt-hours (that’s 3.4 trillion watts!) of power every year, making it one of the best regions for clean energy and sustainable living.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018)

How much solar energy does Denver produce?

Denver has over 3,600 existing solar installations.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018) The city’s metro area alone has over 14 megawatts (i.e., 14 million watts) of solar capacity, enough solar energy to provide power for more than 2,500 residential properties.^*SEIA.org, Denver Solar Fact Sheet (accessed 8/19/2021)

What are the advantages of going solar in Denver?

Denver is a city that values green living, making it an ideal place to go solar. Solar energy is sustainable and produces virtually no air, land, or water pollution. A single residence that goes solar could eliminate over 35,000 pounds of harmful carbon dioxide emissions in a year.^*Reenergizeco.com, The Advantages of Solar Power, (updated 8/15/2019)

Going solar also offers financial benefits. Installing a quality solar system could increase your home’s property value by an average of more than 4%.^*Zillow, Homes with Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More, (April, 2019) It also reduces monthly utility expenses because the PV panels generate substantial clean energy, even on overcast days.

By going solar, Denver residents can also take advantage of the sun’s reliability. Solar panels are low-maintenance, and most companies offer warranties good for 20 to 25 years, ensuring that the system will be generating power for years.

One more benefit of adding a solar system to your residential property is that the increased value of your property is exempt from property taxes, according to Colorado law.

How much does solar cost in Denver?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors: These include:

• Solar system provider

• Solar panel quality

• Roof space

• Weather

• Household energy needs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020. for thousands of homeowners across the country. In Denver, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $11,850 to $15,450, or, in other words, from $2.37 to $3.09 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

A kilowatt is 1,000 watts of power. A measure of energy output, a kWh (kilowatt-hour) is 1,000 watts (a kilowatt) producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.^*Energy Sage, What is a Kilowatt Hour? (Accessed Sept. 10, 2021)

Denver residents who invest in a new solar system can save on the installation costs by claiming the federal Investment Tax Credit on their income taxes. Claiming this incentive will give new solar system owners a 26% credit to cover the costs of a solar system. The credit is applicable for new systems on primary or secondary residential properties.

Another way to save on your clean energy investment is through the Colorado Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Program.^*Xcel Energy, Solar*Rewards® Frequently Asked Questions (2 Xcel Energy’s rewards program offers a financial incentive of $0.02 per kWh for the first 10 years of energy production on any residential or commercial solar system under 25 kW.^*Solar-nation.org, Solar Power in Denver, CO is a Smart Investment (accessed 8/19/2021)

Denver utility companies also offer net metering.^*Xcel Energy, Net Energy Metering (accessed 8/20/2121) This incentive connects your solar system to the local electrical grid through a meter. If your panels produce more energy than your household needs, the overflow will go into the grid in exchange for credits on your monthly statements.^*Solar-nation.org, Solar Power in Denver, CO is a Smart Investment (accessed 8/19/2021)

Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Denver?

No two solar systems will work the same way on two separate properties since so many factors contribute to the effectiveness of the system, even within the same city. It’s best to seek assistance from a licensed solar provider to help you go solar and begin your clean-living journey.

Before meeting with a solar provider, it’s worth using a solar savings estimator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your roof with an estimate of how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power it will produce.

A reputable solar contractor will have a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to go solar in Denver. They will consider everything from the size, location, and shape of your home’s roof to its exterior design to determine which panel system will be ideal for your household’s energy needs. Their team will also help you access federal, state, and local incentives to reduce your initial costs.

Get started now. Request your consultation with SunPower. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.