Solar Energy

Larimer County has received a Silver designation from the national SolSmart program for encouraging growth of clean, affordable solar energy! A Silver designation shows we have met national best practices to encourage solar energy use at the local level. 

Solar energy use has grown rapidly over the past decade. Costs have dropped, while new ownership and financing models allow more Americans than ever to choose solar. Colorado is one of the best Solar energy states in the US, with remarkably sunny weather for most of the year. There are hundreds of solar systems installed in Larimer County and we are seeking ways to encourage even more solar energy development in our community.  

Sol Silver

SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that has helped hundreds of local governments become “open for solar business.” Learn more about the program here.

For more information about the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals, read the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power and visit the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.

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Please apply for your Larimer County solar permit ONLINE!

Below are links to the solar application and helpful information about applying for your solar permit.

If applying for solar batteries only for an existing solar system

If applying for batteries only for a solar system that has already been installed, this cannot be applied for as a solar permit.  If the battery system is under 40kwh, AND is located outside of the home (it can be in an attached garage, outside, barn, etc.) THEN it can be applied for as a Miscellaneous Electrical permit. Please specify the kWh and specific location in the work description when applying and upload a copy of the plans.

If the battery system is over 40kwh, the plans need to be reviewed so we can make a determination on whether it can be applied for as a miscellaneous permit or if it needs to be applied for as a Residential Alteration. Please email the plans, to include the kWh and location, to building@larimer.org.

The Benefits of Going Solar

Solar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies, creates local jobs, saves money on energy costs, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.

Discover your solar savings potential at Project Solar. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator.

Things to Consider

When evaluating your options to go solar, you should always do your homework. Talk to friends and neighbors who have chosen solar, use common sense, and be active and engaged in dealing with solar companies. Below are some suggestions on how to become an informed solar consumer.
 

  • Know your situation

    Know your electricity usage. You should understand how much electricity your home uses. Your utility bill will show your electricity usage in kilowatt-hours and the amount you pay for that electricity. Are you planning any changes that will affect your electricity use, such as buying an electric vehicle, planning an addition to your home, or improving your home’s energy efficiency? Does your home always need electricity even during a power outage? Electricity usage can vary significantly based on your geography and time of year. Discuss your usage with the solar companies you interview to get a system sized for your needs.

  • Know your electricity rates

    Consider how your electricity bills are calculated. Do your electricity rates differ depending on the time of day? Does your utility charge a fixed monthly fee based on your peak electricity usage (a.k.a. a demand charge)? Will the utility compensate you for any extra electricity your solar system produces beyond your need, and, if so, at what rate? These factors affect the economics of whether to go solar.

  • Know your roof

    Is your roof appropriate for solar? Does it receive a good amount of sunlight or is it mostly shaded? How old is the roof? If you plan to replace it soon, do so before installing a rooftop solar system—your solar company may help coordinate with the roofing contractor. In America, roofs facing due north are not good candidates for solar because they don’t receive direct sunlight. A solar professional can calculate the amount of sunlight expected to reach a planned system on any roof over the course of a year.

  • Know your finances

    Like any major decision for your home, it’s wise to understand your finances when shopping for solar systems. Although sunlight is free, buying or leasing solar systems, or paying for electricity under a PPA, are not. Before making a final decision, make sure you understand what you will pay each month and each year for your home solar energy system.

  • Do your Homework

    Research your solar company and get multiple bids for your solar project. Understand any tax credits or other incentives. Look into your financing options.

Finding a Contractor and Going Solar

Find a solar contractor(s) to assess your home or business for solar energy and provide a quote. Keep in mind that your contractor will need to be licensed with Larimer County as well.  You can search on our website to see if they are licensed with us.

  • Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP.
  • Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers.
  • Solar Customer Resource Portal – various resources from SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association.
  • Solar Owner’s Manual – information for current solar homeowners to ensure they are getting the most out of their system from Solar United Neighbors.

Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions

Typically, solar installations are paid for through loans, upfront payments, or a power purchase agreement (PPA). A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing is a resource from the Clean Energy States Alliance that provides an overview of the different financing options.

Federal Incentives:

There are many new incentives and funding opportunities available for solar and other clean energy technologies.

  • A great place for residents to start identifying the federal incentives for which they are eligible is this calculator from Rewiring America. The rebates and incentives available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act can vary depending on your location and income.
  • Some solar projects will be eligible for bonus credits on top of the 30% Investment Tax Credit. The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to 20% in bonus credits for qualified solar or wind facilities developed in low-income communities; up to 10% bonus for projects located in “energy communities” that have a historic fossil-fuel economy, high unemployment or are developing solar on a brownfield; and 10% domestic content bonus for projects using the required amounts of U.S.-produced steel, iron and manufactured products.
  • The World Resources Institute has created an IRA Bonus Mapper tool to help identify communities that are eligible for the low income and energy community bonus credits.
  • Tax-exempt organizations, including non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities, can now take advantage of the federal tax credit through “elective pay” (sometimes referred to as “direct pay.”) An overview of elective pay and Frequently Asked Questions are available from the IRS.
State and local incentives:
  • Information about state incentives can be found in this database maintained by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center.
  • Many new state programs are expected to be announced in 2024 as a result of federal funding. Stay tuned for announcements from your state!

Consumer Protections, Solar Rights, and Procedures

Colorado Law

Colorado's solar access laws, which date back to 1979 (CRS § 38-30-168), render void any covenants, restrictions, or conditions that prohibit “renewable energy generation devices” or “energy efficiency measures”. Renewable energy generation devices include solar energy devices and wind-electric generators that meet the state’s interconnection standards. Some exceptions are made for renewable energy devices for safety requirements and aesthetic purposes that do not significantly increase the cost of the device or decrease its performance.

Colorado also allows property owners to agree voluntarily to solar and wind easements with their neighbors for the purpose of protecting and maintaining proper access to sunlight and wind. The statute provides details about the process for filing an easement, and includes provisions regarding the reversion of easements.

HOA Restrictions

Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act

Colorado House Bill (HB) 21-1229, passed in 2021, prohibits Homeowner Associations (HOAs) from banning solar panels on properties in planned developments like townhome and single-family communities. However, HOAs can still enforce reasonable restrictions on solar panel installations, such as those related to safety or aesthetics that don't significantly increase the cost or decrease the efficiency of the panels.

The scope of regulatory authority depends on the housing type (single-family vs condominium, etc.). The owner or occupant’s right to install is subject to the following conditions:

  1. The solar energy device can only be installed on property owned by the owner (unless the association approves otherwise); and
  2. The association may place reasonable aesthetic restrictions on dimensions, placement, and external appearance of the devices.

 

Resources for Solar Jobs & Solar Training Opportunities

The demand for trained workers in the solar industry exceeds supply. Colorado residents who become trained in solar installation and permitting processes can enter a growing field with good-paying jobs. Nonprofit Solar Energy International is a prime resource in Colorado for training. 

Or learn more through the Solar Training Network, which connects solar employers, trainers and training institutions, workforce investment boards, trainees, and job seekers. For more information, visit the Solar Career Map.

To learn more about training opportunities and the benefits of solar training in underserved communities, visit the Grid Alternatives website.

To research nearly 1,000 degree and certification programs in various energy disciplines, educational advice, and career insight, visit www.EnergyDegrees.org.

More Useful Solar Information