In Colorado, Amendment 37 was passed as a voter initiated proposal to require more renewable energy provisions in our state.

Regarding solar specifically, those utilities that have 40,000 customers or more are required to have a certain percentage of their power come from solar electricity. In Western Colorado, this means that Xcel Energy must comply with Amendment 37 and the only feasible way to meet this goal is to offer rebates.

Therefore, if your utility provider is Xcel Energy, you get a rebate amount back of $4.50/ installed watt of solar or, in more real terms, about 50% of the installed cost of the system. Some smaller co-ops and local utility providers are also offering their own rebate programs. Others have opted out. To find out more, click here.

In addition to this rebate, there is a federal rebate available for 30% of system cost, up to $2,000.