Solar energy makes sense for Garfield County homeowners

Solar equipment prices have dropped 80-90% in the past decade. Many homeowners across the U.S. are choosing solar energy as a way to establish energy independence and increase their property value. Pairing a solar system with on-site storage (battery backup) provides extra resilience, both for the individual business and for the electricity grid.

Garfield Clean Energy’s free renewable energy consulting can help you understand the best options for using solar energy to power your residential property. We can:

  • Provide telephone consulting to explain and evaluate on-site and off-site options.
  • Review solar contractor bids.
  • Advise on economic incentives and financing options.

For more information, contact us at info@garfieldcleanenergy.org or 970-704-9200, extension 2.

CLEER manages the programs and services of Garfield Clean Energy.

Solar is affordable

Thanks to tax credits, utility rebates and current low interest rates, many homeowners will find that they actually save money on their monthly bills, while gaining energy independence.

Federal Tax Credit: Great news! The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 increases and extends the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit for solar, wind, geothermal and battery storage. Projects now qualify for a 30% federal tax credit.

Utility Incentives: Offered by electric utilities serving Garfield County. See below.

Financing: 

  • Many solar installation companies partner with financial institutions to offer lease and loan programs.
  • Colorado’s RENU program offers loans for renewable energy installations (and for energy and water efficiency upgrades). Learn more here.

Utility programs for residential customers in Garfield County

Holy Cross Energy

Holy Cross Energy offers rebates for on-site systems and a program to purchase off-site renewable energy.

On-site systems

Rebates are based on system size:

  • Systems up to 6 kW: $250 per kW
  • Systems 6-25 kW: $100 per kW

In addition, Holy Cross provides incentives for on-site battery storage of $250 per kW, up to 25 kW – $500/kW if you enroll in their Distribution Flexibility Program.

More information and application forms on the Holy Cross Energy website.

PuRE

Buy some or all of your electricity from a community solar garden through Holy Cross's PuRE (Powered by 100% Renewable Energy) program. The utility charges a small premium on your monthly bill for the portion of clean energy produced by solar, wind and hydro projects that are tied to the Holy Cross electrical grid.

More information and application forms for the PuRE program on the Holy Cross Energy website.

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy offers three options for residential customers, but only the first is for on-site systems (i.e., rooftop solar); the other two enable customers to buy into renewable energy elsewhere.

Solar*Rewards for on-site solar installations

Participating households with solar systems can receive payment for the excess electricity they send back to the grid or they can "bank" it for use in future months. Click here for program details and current renewable energy credit amounts.

Solar*Rewards Community

A voluntary program to purchase solar energy from a community solar garden. This typically entails getting on a waitlist. Learn more here.

Renewable*Connect Flex

Customers can subscribe to this program by buying "blocks" of 100 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, at $1 each. The average family home would need 6-8 blocks (600-800 kWh) to use 100% renewable energy. Click here for info.

Glenwood Springs Electric

Glenwood Springs Electric has discontinued its solar rebate program as of January 2022.