Solar power is an excellent choice for the Choice City of Colorado

The state of solar in Fort Collins

Fort Collins experiences an above-average 237 sunny days each year.^*Best Places. Climate in Fort Collins, CO, April 2021. The city’s access to sunlight, as well as Colorado’s overall commitment to clean energy, make Fort Collins an ideal location for homeowners to switch to solar power. The city also offers several solar panel rebates and monetary incentives to its residents, helping to remove the barriers to clean energy adoption.

How much solar energy does Fort Collins produce?

Fort Collins has around 11 MW of installed solar capacity from 2,000 residential solar PV systems—this doesn’t even factor in commercial systems. The city’s commitment to clean energy and numerous incentive programs guarantee that new installations will continue popping up each year.

The Solar Power Purchase Program allows the city to buy solar electricity from 15 sites across Fort Collins. These sites produce over 6.5 million kWh of energy annually, enough to power 650 homes.

What are the advantages of going solar in Fort Collins?

Switching to solar energy is a practical way to reduce your carbon footprint and assist Colorado’s clean energy goals. If Fort Collins reached its full solar power potential of 770,000 MWh produced per year, carbon dioxide emissions would decrease by 469,000 metric tons, equivalent to taking 99,100 cars off the road for a year.^*Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

As if that alone isn’t reason enough to switch, a 5 kW system can also offer electricity cost savings as high as $15,000 over 20 years of use and may pay for itself within 11 to 12 years.^*Energy Sage. Solar Panels in Fort Collins, CO, April 2021.

Fort Collins makes it easy for residents to switch to solar energy, too. The city’s website features numerous resources on solar, such as residential solar programs, available rebates, and how to determine the right solar system for your property.

How much does solar cost in Fort Collins?

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

• Available roof space

• Weather

• Household’s energy needs

• Quality of the solar system’s panels and parts

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 for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020

In Fort Collins, we found that the average cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,850 to $15,300, or in other words, from $2.77 to $3.06 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

The City of Fort Collins offers rebates that allow you to receive $250 per kW (up to $1,000 total) for your solar system. Commercial solar customers can receive up to $50,000 in rebates. The city will calculate your rebate amount depending on the capacity of the system you install.

Colorado also has tax exemptions that make solar system installation sales and property tax-free. Coupling these exemptions with the federal Investment Tax Credit, which can offset your costs by 26%, can offer significant savings.^*Incentives, rebates, and tax credits vary and are subject to change. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Fort Collins?

If you’re considering going solar, it's vital to plan your system carefully. You'll need to take a range of factors into account, such as your budget, property size, energy use, and roof space.

Working with a reputable solar provider is the best way to ensure your system meets all your needs and is installed safely. Many solar companies opt for in-person or online consultations for this process. They should provide a system design, monthly electric bill savings estimate, price quote, and an overview of available incentives and tax credits before you sign a contract.

If you have questions, SunPower is happy to help. Request a free consultation to get started, and we’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.