2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Craig, CO - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Craig.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Craig solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Craig?

Property Tax Exemption for Residential Renewable Energy Equipment

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% exemption for renewable energy system property

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive

Eagle County - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential
PV: 50% up to $500
Solar Thermal: 50% of project costs
Commercial
50% of project costs

City of Boulder - Solar Sales and Use Tax Rebate

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
~15% refund on sales and use tax for the solar installation

Roaring Fork Valley - Energy Smart Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
PV: 25% of cost
Solar Water Heat: $25% of cost
Solar Thermal Tune-up: 25% of project cost
Micro-hydro and Geothermal: 25% of cost

Property Tax Exemption for Community Solar Gardens

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% exemption for the percentage of electricity capacity (AC) of a community solar garden attributed to residential or governmental subscribers or organizations that are already exempt from property taxes

Local Option - Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
Varies (local option)

Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies (local option)

Efficiency Works - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program (Offered by 4 Utilities)

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Air Sealing: $300-$500
Insulation: Up to $1,815
Duct Sealing: $200 (gas-heated homes only)
Window Replacement: Up to $1,000
Air Handler Blower Motor: $150
Whole House Mechanical Ventilation: 20% of cost
Heat Pumps: $500
Replacement Furnace: $300-$500 (gas-heated homes only)
Ductless Mini-Split: $250/head
Replacement Gas Boiler: $300 (gas-heated homes only)
Replacement Water Heater: $100-$500
AC System: $150-$500
Whole House Fan: $275
Evaporative Cooler: $500

Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$35,000

Green Colorado Credit Reserve

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$250,000

Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, Lake, and Pitkin Counties - Energy Smart Colorado Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$25,000

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. These financial incentives are designed to encourage more homeowners to convert their home partially or fully to renewable energy. Different kinds of incentives, like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the Colorado government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates are essentially partial refunds that are applied after you pay for a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
  • Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the government.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar panel system might qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
  • Net Metering: Make sure you speak with your Craig utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to get a credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a set percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC applies to the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property you own for you to claim the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all system installation costs (panels, accessories, equipment and labor), although the amount has fluctuated over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

Contacting your local Craig solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC applies to you.

The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. For solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032, homeowners may be eligible for a credit equal to 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, reach out to your local Craig solar installation company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Rebates, tax credits and more can be provided at multiple levels. Along with federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Colorado government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Craig

You can apply for and receive solar incentives from the federal government and the Colorado government, as well as from your local utility company. Growing availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped increase solar adoption nationwide. We recommend talking to your local Craig solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar system.

EcoWatch's Craig, CO Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I know if I qualify for certain solar incentives?

It's best to speak with your local Craig solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Generally, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those provided by the Colorado government, may have other requirements.

How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in Craig annually?

Once you add solar panels to your house in Craig, you can expect to save around $1,090.11 per year, or around $20,712.09 over the next 20 years.

Who installs solar panels near me?

To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to the top solar companies in Craig.

What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?

Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 500 pounds annually, or around 11,000 pounds in 20 years.

I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can get?

The new Inflation Reduction Act introduces a number of incentives meant to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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