2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Rifle, CO - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 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 Rifle solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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 Rifle?

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

Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
Systems 0.5 kW - 25 kW: $0.005/kWh
Medium-sized Systems 25.1-500 kW: $0.0375/kWh
Large Systems (>500kW): Determined through competitive bid

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

Xcel Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Financing

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Up to $50,000

Xcel Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Refrigerator Recycling: varies, contact utility for details
Natural Gas Furnace: $300
EC Motor in New or Existing Furnace: $100
Air Conditioning/Air Source Heat Pump: $300-$600
Mini-Split Heat Pump: $300
Water Heater: $70-$450
Evaporative Cooling: $200-$1,200
Attic Insulation: $350-$600
Wall Insulation: $350-$600
Air Sealing, bypass sealing, and weather-stripping: $175-$450
Ground Source Heat Pump: $300/ton
Smart Thermostat: $50

Xcel Energy - Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Attic Insulation: $400-$700
Air Sealing/Bypass Sealing/Weather-Stripping: $250-$550
High Efficiency Lighting: 30% of cost
Wall Insulation: $450-$700
Evaporative Cooling System: $325-$1200
Central Air Conditioner (New): $400 - $700
Central Air Conditioner (Trade In): $550
Ground Source/Geothermal Heat Pump: $300 per ton
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: $550
Programmable Thermostat: $25
High Efficiency Furnace: $400
Electrically Commuted Motor: $125
Tankless Water Heater: $200
Standard Tank Water Heater: $100
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator: $15
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer: $30

Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$35,000

Green Colorado Credit Reserve

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$250,000

Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Community Program

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
2015 Large RFP Program:
Determined through competitive bid. RFP released on March 3, 2016

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

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$25,000

Holy Cross Energy - Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Varies by system size and customer type (see summary below)

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/


The term "solar incentives" refers broadly to financial incentives that are in place to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making the installation and use of solar panels more affordable. You might be eligible for different kinds of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Colorado and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are usually applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates might be provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
  • Net Metering: Don't forget to talk to your Rifle utility company about signing a net metering contract. This will allow you to get a credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Exemptions: These might come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you exclude the value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)

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

Outstanding Local Installer

Smart Wave Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Installations include backup power guarantee
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers rewards for customer referrals
  • Expensive
  • No assistance with solar financing
  • Limited brands of solar equipment available

Federal Solar Incentives

When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit equal to a predetermined percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.

The ITC originally covered 30% of the total cost of solar system installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.

Contacting your local Rifle solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to you.

In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. American homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032. This credit will then decrease annually until it expires. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems with the new act.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to speak with your local Rifle solar panel installers directly.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Like with federal incentives, these might include tax credits, rebates and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. These local incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Colorado government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Rifle

Nationwide solar energy use has gone up significantly in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from the Colorado government, the federal government or your local utility company. Your local Rifle solar panel installer can help you learn more about which incentives you can apply for, and get you started on the path to switching to renewable energy today.

EcoWatch's Rifle, CO Solar Incentives FAQs

How can I find out if I qualify for certain solar incentives?

In most cases, solar incentives apply to:

  1. a new solar panel system
  2. installed on property you own
  3. within the U.S.
  4. within the date range specified by a particular incentive.

Specific incentives, including those given out by the Colorado government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Rifle solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.

How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my house in Rifle?

After adding solar panels to your house in Rifle, you can anticipate savings of approximately $958.80 per year, or approximately $18,217.16 over the next 20 years.

What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?

To learn about the top solar panel installers near you, take a look at our article on the top solar companies in Rifle.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is set to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

Can I qualify for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order in which incentives are applied may vary depending on which incentives you receive but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to make sure you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.

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.