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Solar Resources
Welcome to Westminster's solar resource webpage. The City works to enhance the amount of solar energy installed in our community. Below is a collection of solar information for the community and specific resources for developers, contractors, and residents.
Benefits of Solar
Solar energy uses a renewable energy source - the sun - and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. Solar development:
- Improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution.
- Supports local solar companies in Colorado.
- Saves money on energy costs as the price continues to drop from technological developments.
- Improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.
Join your neighbors who have installed solar…over 5,000 of them!
As of 2025, 5,000 residential and commercial buildings have installed solar, producing over more than 20 MW of electricity yearly. This indicates Westminster is doing its part to help achieve our State's solar goal of 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2040 and our City's Sustainability Plan.
Explore where solar is currently installed and permitted in the city on our interactive Solar Map.
SolSmart Gold Recognition
Westminster has been recognized as a SolSmart Gold designee for implementing best practices that make it easier for residents and businesses to install and access solar energy. SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and designation recognizes Westminster’s solar efforts. Learn more about the program here.
Resources for Going Solar
Find a solar contractor (or several) to assess your home for solar energy and provide a bid. Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP. Below is additional information and resources for how to select a solar contractor:
1.) Consumer Solar Checklist - a checklist for residential consumers considering solar energy from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council
2.) Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights (PDF) - ensuring a positive consumer experience by addressing important issues from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
Solar installations can be paid for through with loans or cash, with Federal and Colorado incentives available. Below you will some information on financing resources:
Colorado RENU Loan: The RENU Loan is a statewide residential loan program sponsored by the Colorado Energy Office in partnership with Colorado-based credit unions. It makes home energy upgrades easy and affordable by offering low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for residents and contractors.
C-PACE: Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a financing tool that allows commercial and multifamily property owners to finance qualifying solar installation on existing and newly constructed properties, with repayment of the financing through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill.
Find your building’s solar potential with these free tool:
1.) Investigate your property's solar potential with Google's Project Sunroof here
2.) Estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's PVWatts Calculator here.
Ready to Go Solar?
Submit solar permits through the eTRAKiT system.
What is eTRAKiT? It is a one-stop-shop platform for applying for any solar permit and provides users the ability to view records and check project status without logging in. Registered users who create an account will have the ability to pay fees and view records in detail. Contractors will have the ability to pay fees, apply for permits, and schedule and cancel inspections on their permits.
Building Division's Electronic File Submittal Requirements (PDF): read prior to applying for a building permit.
Permitting Checklist (PDF): follow along here to ensure you're all set to get your solar permit.
All small system PV permits will receive at the longest a three-day turn-around time.
Permit Fees (PDF): Solar permits cost $300.
1.) Learn details of the City's solar inspection processes on this inspection guideline document (PDF).
2.) Schedule your solar PV inspection
3.) Solar PV inspections will be complete within 5 business days after the inspection request.
"Solar-By-Right" Ordinance: Ordinance Number 4071, explicitly outlines that accessory use of solar PV is allowed by right in all major zones.
Questions on the permitting or inspection process? Reach out to the Building Division:
Email Building at permits@westminsterco.gov and Phone: 303-658-2075