Aurora, CO Solar Installation: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Aurora
If you live in Aurora, CO, and have watched your electricity bills climb, you’re not alone. Colorado electricity prices have increased 22% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many homeowners searching for a more predictable way to power their homes. Solar installation offers a practical path forward.
Colorado ranks 9th in the nation for residential solar, and homes across the Denver metro—including Aurora—are part of that growth. This guide explains how solar installation in Aurora, CO works, from panels to savings. Start with our guide on home solar panels.
COLORADO by the Numbers
9th Most residential solar in the United States
161 Households have installed solar panels
5.7 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$58k Aurora average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Aurora, CO?
Curious what solar costs in Aurora? This calculator uses real data from our actual installations across neighborhoods like Southlands, Saddle Rock, Tallyn’s Reach, and Murphy Creek. Get a clear, local estimate built on firsthand numbers—no guesswork—so you can confidently understand what solar might look like for your home.
Cost Breakdown
- System Size: This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Colorado.
- Recommended System: 6.56 kW
- Your Monthly Payment: Estimated monthly cost with LightReach $77/mo
- System Cost: $19,534
- Price per Watt: $2.98
- Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction $132
- Payback Period: 10.5 years
- 25-Year Savings: $57,970
Key Takeaways
- Colorado electricity prices rose 22% from 2020 to 2024, so Aurora homeowners are turning to solar for more stable, predictable energy costs.
- A typical Aurora home can save around $58,000 over 25 years with solar, thanks to 5.7 daily peak sun hours and full-retail net metering.
- State and utility incentives still make solar worthwhile, including a sales tax exemption, Xcel rebates, and no-upfront-cost leasing through LightReach.
Aurora Electricity Prices
Homeowners in Aurora, like others across Colorado, have watched electricity rates climb steadily. Understanding those costs is the first step toward smarter energy choices.
Colorado’s average residential electricity price rose from 13.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.1 cents per kWh in 2024. That’s roughly a 15% increase in just three years, and rates continue to trend upward. Solar installation lets Aurora homeowners generate their own power, reducing reliance on the grid and its unpredictable price increases.
Price of Energy: Colorado vs National Average
| Year | Colorado | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13.1¢ | 13.7¢ |
| 2022 | 15.0¢ | 14.2¢ |
| 2023 | 15.1¢ | 16.0¢ |
| 2024 | — | — |
Aurora Area Utility Providers
In Aurora, CO, most homes get power from CORE Electric or Xcel Energy. In 2023, both charged about 14.5¢ and 14.3¢ per kWh, close to Colorado’s 14.30¢ state average.
Colorado Solar Incentives
Aurora homeowners can tap into several solar incentives in Colorado that help lower the upfront and long-term cost of going solar.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Solar Equipment Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Colorado exempts solar energy equipment from the state’s 2.9% sales and use tax. | |
| Colorado Net Metering Policy | Net Metering | Colorado law requires investor-owned utilities to credit residential solar customers at the full retail rate for excess electricity exported to the grid. | |
| Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards Program | Rebate | Xcel Energy offers income-qualified customers an upfront rebate for installing residential solar, with the program opening on May 21, 2026. | Learn More |
Solar Panel Systems in Aurora
Aurora enjoys over 240 sunny days yearly, making solar a strong choice here.
Solar Production in Aurora by Month
Annual Production
- System Size: 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW
- Over a year, your 10 kW system could offset 11 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equal to the environmental benefit of planting 193 trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Aurora, CO have net metering? Yes, Aurora homeowners receive full retail-rate credit for every kilowatt-hour of solar electricity sent to the grid.
- Do solar panels increase your home value in Aurora, CO? Yes, purchased or owned solar systems can increase your home's value by approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them.
- How much electricity can a solar system produce in Aurora, CO? A typical home solar system produces roughly 1,600 kWh per year for every kilowatt (kW) installed.