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

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

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 The Pinery solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 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 The Pinery?

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

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 are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. Various kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the state of Colorado, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
  • Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar panels. These could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before tax credits are calculated.
  • Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your house. They may also include exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
  • Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your The Pinery utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, accessories and labor — although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.

To better understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, speak with your local The Pinery solar panel installation expert.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit re-raises the credit up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. After this, the credit percentage will decrease slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local The Pinery solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Not all solar incentives are federal; tax credits, rebates and more might also be offered at the state and local level. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. These local incentives may come from the Colorado government, or from your specific county or municipality.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in The Pinery

Solar incentives can be provided by your local utlity company, the Colorado government or the federal government. The large number of available solar incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Contact your local solar panel installation company today to find out more information and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your The Pinery home.

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

EcoWatch's The Pinery, CO Solar Incentives FAQs

What if I want to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?

While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives will apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.

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

It's a good idea to talk to your local The Pinery solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Generally, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those provided at the level of the Colorado government, may have other requirements.

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

After adding solar panels to your home in The Pinery, you can expect to save around $1,066.53 per year, or around $20,264.05 over 20 years.

I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can claim?

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides multiple incentives designed to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order in which incentives are applied might vary depending on which incentives you receive but generally yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Talk with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for 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.

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