Be Energy Independent! 

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There are many ways to power your home or business with renewable energy sources. See below for information on how to "go solar" through installing panels on your home or by subscribing to a community solar garden! Already over 2,200 residential single-family homes in Westminster have installed PV solar, so you're in good company!  

Looking for a contractor or installer? Curious about the solar permitting and inspection process? Wanting to access financing options? Visit the Community Services Solar Webpage

 

 Free Community Solar for Limited-Income Residents in Jefferson County

Energy Outreach Colorado connects limited-income renters and homeowners whose homes are not suitable for rooftop solar with free access to the cost savings of solar energy.

 

Program benefits include: 

  • Average households save 50% off the cost of electricity per year (about $600/year or $50/month).
  • You don’t need to own your home (renters can participate).
  • Subscriptions can move with you
  • Free to sign up, cancel, or opt out at any time.

Learn more and sign-up here!

Solar 101: How to Get Solar On Your Roof! SolarInstallationWestviewRecCtr10-6-09_450x300-resize179x112

1.) Be Efficient First:

If you are interested in solar, first look for ways to increase your current energy efficiency. The more efficient you are, the less energy you'll need to generate with solar panels. Xcel Energyprovides residents and businesses with information and rebates. Start with a Home Energy Squad Visit to assess your efficiency opportunities. 

2.) Explore Solar Potential: 

  • Solar Calculator: Get a sense of your property's solar capacity with one of the following calculators: 

    • EnergySage: Use this solar panel calculator to quickly estimate your solar potential and savings by address. Estimates are based on your roof, electricity bill, and actual offers in your area.

    • NREL's PVWatts® Calculator: Estimates the energy production of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations.

    • Project Sunroof (Google): Search for your home. Discover your solar savings potential.

  • Solar Customer Resource Portal: SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) has developed a guide to solar for residential consumers    

  • Learn the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals with the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power and visit the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.   

3.) Find a Solar Contractor:

There are many qualified local contractors who can help you make decisions about the size of a solar system, whether to lease or buy, and how to obtain permits and funding. The following resources can help you find a qualified contractor:

  • Contractor Directory.created by the Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA)

  • EnergySage can provide competing solar quotes from qualified installers for your home.  

4.) Explore Financing Options:  

Incentives: 

Energy Loans: 

Additional Offerings:

5.) Apply for A Permit:

Visit our solar landing site to look for a contractor or installer, learn about the solar permitting and inspection process, and understand financing options

Go Solar Without Putting Panels On Your Home! 

Learn about solar subscription and participation options

  • Community Solar Gardens: go solar without installing panels on your roof. By subscribing to a portion of the energy produced in a community solar garden, you do not the need to invest in solar panels for home use. Your utility continues delivering your energy, and you become part of the solar community, receiving solar credits on your electricity bill. It’s that easy. Learn about and subscribe to Westminster's Solar Gardens: Sun Share and Jack's Solar Garden

  • Xcel Energy – Renewable Energy Options – Residential: subscribe to?renewable energy options?through Xcel Energy’s offerings 

  • United Power – Green Power Partners:?purchase clean, renewable electric power through united power’s green power partners program 

No matter if you own or rent your property, there's ways for you to go solar. Reach out to the sustainability office if you have questions on how to keep on the sunny side of life. 

The Westminster Solar Co-Op:

2022 Impact Report

In 2022, the City of Westminster. Adams County, the City of Northglenn, and Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a national solar nonprofit, successfully completed the 2022 Adams Solar Co-op. The Co-op helped residents become more energy independent, save money on electricity bills, and reduced the upfront cost of installing solar. These benefits are seen in the following results:

  • The total kilowatt capacity of the installed systems is 279.3 kilowatts, which is roughly equivalent to the power generated by the solar panels on top of the Colorado Convention Center. 
  • The total private dollars spent on the installations was $1,005,776 and will result in a 25-year energy savings of $1,313,893 for the homeowners.
  • Homeowners also saw a 15-20% savings from participating in the co-op compared to an average price for solar installation.
  • The City in total permitted ~800 solar installations for all building types in 2022

Read about the project here! 


Co-Op Background and OverviewWhyGoSolar

Building off the success of the 2021 Westminster Solar Co-Op, the City launched our 2nd solar co-up in partnership with Adams County and the City of Northglenn and Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and achieved our goal of 200 members. We will likely open the Co-Op again next year in early to mid 2023

A solar co-op is made up of residents and business owners who want to enjoy a streamlined process of going solar and save money by going together as a group. The solar co-op is free to join with no obligation to install; and will include battery and electric vehicle charging installation options for its members. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) residents can receive a federal tax credit for up to 26% off the cost of your solar array. 
Learn more here!