State Overview
Colorado
National Solar Capacity Ranking: 12th
Data Current Through: Q2 2024
Colorado State Solar Overview
Colorado, with over 300 sunny days per year, has tremendous solar potential and was one of the first states in the U.S. to have a Renewable Energy Standard. There are multiple solar programs in Colorado for rooftop solar, community solar and utility-scale solar. SEIA is engaged in legislative and regulatory discussions to encourage solar and storage growth and deployment.
SEIA Colorado State Policy Priorities
- SEIA & COSSA continued to leverage resources to share a lobbyist and regulatory attorney to expand solar access and increase solar penetration in Colorado.
- SEIA has consistently advocated for solar + storage in Colorado, with testimony in the CO RES plan, electric resource plans, stakeholder discussions with Xcel, and additional Commission filings.
- SEIA, COSSA, and coalition partners passed SB 218 and SB 207 in 2024, modernizing the distribution system to facilitate solar and storage interconnection and increasing inclusive community solar adoption. SEIA is now working to ensure the successful implementation of both bills.
Official SEIA State Affiliate
Just The Facts
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State
Colorado
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Solar Installed (MW):
4,208
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State Ranking, Cumulative Capacity Installed:
12th
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State Ranking, Capacity Installed in 2023:
4th
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Enough Solar Installed to Power:
848,262 homes
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Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar:
10.81%
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Solar Jobs:
8,177
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Solar Companies in State:
414 (40 Manufacturers, 195 Installers/Developers, 179 Others)
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Total Solar Investment in State:
$8 billion
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Prices have fallen:
43% over the last 10 years
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Growth Projection and Ranking:
3372 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 18th)
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Number of Installations:
149,600
Colorado State Solar Policy Resources
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Official SEIA State Affiliate – Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA)
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Colorado State Energy Office – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
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Colorado State Legislature – Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Colorado
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Colorado Solar Panels Overview – Learn about the history of solar policy in Colorado, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
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Colorado Public Utilities Commisssion – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of California public utilities
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DSIRE Incentives Database – Colorado – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Colorado and across the United States
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Solar Panel Cost in Colorado – Learn about the history of solar policy in Colorado, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
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Solar Rebates & Incentives in Colorado – Check out EnergySage’s list of key solar incentives in Colorado to see what programs you can benefit from
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U.S. Energy Information Administration – Colorado State Profile – Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government
Colorado law prohibits deceptive trade practices, requires registration for commercial telephone solicitations, and governs home solicitation agreements, including required terms and cooling-off periods.
Pueblo
Bighorn Solar
Bighorn Solar and Sun Mountain Solar in Pueblo were developed by Lightsource bp and came online in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Each of these 300 MW projects produces enough electricity to power 60,678 homes.
Aurora
Amazon DEN3 Project
Target, Walmart, and Amazon have all gone solar in Colorado. Amazon's 6 MW DEN3 project in Aurora is one of the largest corporate projects in the state.
Pueblo
Comanche Solar
At 150 MW, Comanche Solar in Pueblo is among the largest solar installations in Colorado. Completed by Community Energy in 2016, this solar project has enough electric capacity to power more than 30,339 homes.
