MAKE COLORADO MORE COLORFUL WITH SOLAR
Why go solar in Colorado
With over 300 sunny days per year, solar just makes sense in Colorado! Colorado was one of the first states to have a Renewable Energy Standard and is currently at over 297,500 solar powered homes.* Be part of the solution by going solar. Not only is it a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it could help you save money.
Save on energy
There is great potential for energy savings in Colorado. We try to design your system to offset the energy you use, based on past history and other factors. The goal is to help you produce more than enough to power your home. For those who qualify, and where available, net metering may be an option to sell back excess energy that was produced. Most importantly, solar can potentially help avoid high time of use (TOU) rates.
Be prepared for outages
Colorado outages can be dangerous in the winter months. A great way to prepare for possible outages is to have a solar system with batteries. You will no longer have to rely on the grid. Your batteries can get you through the night or longer. Talk to your dealer about your power needs. Even if you cannot do anything to prevent outages, you can certainly prepare for them.
Preserve Colorado’s outdoors
Colorado is every outdoor enthusiast’s dream. It is home to the famous Rocky Mountains, as well as other wonders. Preserving the state’s natural beauty is top of the list for many homeowners. Each Colorado home that goes solar can help contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and reliance on fossil fuels.
Have predictable payments
Colorado may be beautiful, but its weather can make powering your home costly and unpredictable. Many utility providers offer Time of Use (TOU) rates, charging a higher rate when you need electricity the most. Whether you are trying to cool down your home or warm it up, it may cost you more than you expect. Going solar can potentially help you avoid such varying TOU rates. If you can avoid paying TOU rates, you can better predict your monthly energy needs and payments.Avoid the varying TOU rates by going solar will make monthly budgeting easier.
Invest in your home
If you ask your neighbors, you may find that some of them have already gone solar to build equity. Going solar may add value to your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers. On the average, Colorado middle-tier homes are currently valued at $442,766, that is an 8.6% annual increase from last year.* Instead of giving your money to your utility provider, consider reinvesting into your Colorado home, one of your biggest assets.**
Solar incentives in Colorado*
The state mandates alll utilities with 5,000 customers or more to offer net metering. Customers may roll over excess credits indefinitely or cash out at the end of the 12-month cycle. Colorado also offers some property tax and sales tax deferments for solar. Solar energy improvements are exempt from property tax assessments in some areas. Going solar may add value to your home, but you won’t be assessed for the value of the solar if property tax assessment is deferred.
Local energy utility providers have their own programs. For example, if you live in Fort Collins, you may qualify for a $250/kW incentive up to $1,000. Those in Colorado Springs can get an $80/kW incentive. Check with your local utility company for information about specific incentives in your area.
Colorado homeowners are also eligible for the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC).*** The ITC allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes.
Solar panels perform in all kinds of weather
Going solar is a big decision, and although there are many factors you should consider, local weather shouldn’t be a deterrent. Solar panels are designed to work in almost any type of weather… even snow and clouds!
Sunny
There are sunny days ahead for solar. The more sun you have access to, the longer your panels work during the day. Your panels work best at converting energy when sun rays shine directly at them. The more energy you produce, the more excess you may be able to send back to the grid. Take advantage of the excess through net metering and other incentive programs.
Rainy
As the rain pours down, your panels will continue to be hard at work. Solar panels will work with reflected or partially blocked sun rays to keep your home powered. Your production is linked to the amount of clouds. Rain will have some effect on your production, but the rays will still penetrate through the rain. It may actually help keep your panels working efficiently as they wash away any dust or dirt.
Cloudy
It is a misconception that panels don’t work on cloudy days. The best way to know how much the clouds affect your system’s performance is to monitor your system on sunny days and compare. Your system may actually be more efficient without the excess heat. This is because solar systems prefer the cold! The sun’s rays are still able to penetrate through cloudy skies and keep your system running.
Snowy
Amazingly enough, even when covered in snow a solar system can still produce power! Scattered light filters through snow and reaches solar panels even when the snow cover is fairly heavy. Your solar panels may actual be more efficient in light snow. Cold weather helps them perform better, and usually snow slides right off. Power production may be reduced with heavier snowfall, but your system can still produce.
Windy
Solar panels are highly reliable and sturdy, they hardly notice your average winds. In most cases, damage from wind will be due to weakened roofs, not solar panels. This is why we assess your roof condition and reccomend any repairs prior to installing your system. In the event that higher winds cause an outage in the grid, you will still have power if you have batteries with your system.
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*This information is current as of May 5, 2021 and figures are only approximations. Customers are encouraged to check with their local utility providers for the most up to date and accurate information.
**We advise you to consult with the appropriate professionals (including, but not limited to, your solicitor or attorney, accountant, CPA, CGA, or any other financial or legal advisor) for the implications of any information contained in our website and in any link you access through our website.
***You should contact a qualified tax expert and consult with them. Neither Freedom Forever’s family of independent authorized dealers nor Freedom Forever itself can give you tax advice. A qualified tax professional will understand your situation and be able to give you the most relevant advice.
