Solar + battery installation in Colorado
Battery-coupled solar is the package that closes most often in Colorado. Federal Clean Tech ITC (30%) on storage stacks with state net metering. Free quote, ~2 minutes.
Get my free solar + battery quote- 8 kW
- Average system size
- $2.80/W
- Average cost (USD)
- 9 yrs
- Average payback
- 250+
- Local installers
Why solar in Colorado
Colorado gives residential solar full retail net metering and two state exemptions that need no application, and it also asks you to make a decision most homeowners never realise they are making. Under Xcel Energy's arrangement excess generation rolls over month to month and year to year into a Solar Bank, and you elect how it is treated: continuous rollover credits that never expire but cannot be cashed out and are lost if you move, or a year-end payout at the average hourly incremental cost of electricity from the previous 12 months. Waiving the decision defaults you to the payout. Independently owned residential solar of no more than 100 kW AC is exempt from property tax under Section 39-3-102 C.R.S., and Section 38-30-168 stops an association banning solar outright. The 30 percent federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D expired for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Incentives & rebates
Net metering: Full retail net metering with a Solar Bank election
Colorado credits exported solar at the retail electricity rate. Under Xcel Energy's arrangement, excess generation from a net metered system rolls over month to month and year to year and is held in a Solar Bank, and the customer elects how it is handled. Option A is continuous rollover credits, which never run out and can be used whenever consumption exceeds generation, but the Solar Bank cannot be cashed out and no credit is given if the customer moves or stops service. Option B is a year-end payout, in which Xcel cashes out the Solar Bank at the end of the year and sends a cheque for the excess energy, purchased at the average hourly incremental cost of electricity from the previous 12 months. Waiving the decision defaults the customer to the year-end payout. Municipal utilities, cooperatives and other investor-owned utilities in Colorado set their own arrangements, so confirm what applies at your address.
Why solar + battery in Colorado
Colorado gives residential solar full retail net metering and two state exemptions that need no application, and it also asks you to make a decision most homeowners never realise they are making. Under Xcel Energy's arrangement excess generation rolls over month to month and year to year into a Solar Bank, and you elect how it is treated: continuous rollover credits that never expire but cannot be cashed out and are lost if you move, or a year-end payout at the average hourly incremental cost of electricity from the previous 12 months. Waiving the decision defaults you to the payout. Independently owned residential solar of no more than 100 kW AC is exempt from property tax under Section 39-3-102 C.R.S., and Section 38-30-168 stops an association banning solar outright. The 30 percent federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D expired for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Start your Colorado quote
Tell us where your home is and we will match you with a vetted local installer.
How payback works in Colorado
- System cost
- $22,400
- Estimated net cost
- $22,400
- Estimated payback
- ~13.8 years
- 25-year net savings
- ~$18,100
These figures are illustrative; your actual quote reflects your roof, sun exposure, and local utility rates.
Cities we serve in Colorado
10cities with vetted local solar + battery installers.