## Solar Power in Fort Collins

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Fort Collins is a natural fit for solar installation. Colorado ranks 9th in the nation for residential solar installations, and it’s easy to see why so many neighbors are exploring solar panel installation for their homes.

Electricity prices in Colorado have climbed 22% from 2020 to 2024, leading many homeowners to look for a more predictable option. To learn more, explore our [guide on home solar panels](/content/solar/solar-panels-for-home/index.html).

### COLORADO by the Numbers

- [9th](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/) Most residential solar in the United States
- [161](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/) Households have installed solar panels
- [5.2](/content/local/peak-sun-hours/index.html) Avg peak sun hours per day
- [~$53k](/content/local/colorado/fort-collins/#solar-cost-calculator/index.html) Fort Collins average savings over 25 years

## How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Fort Collins, CO?

Curious what solar really costs in Fort Collins? This calculator uses real installation data from homes across the area—from Old Town and Midtown to Timnath, Wellington, and Loveland. See local, firsthand pricing based on actual projects near you, so you can plan your solar journey with confidence and clarity.

### Cost Breakdown

- **System Cost:** $19,534
- **Price per Watt:** $2.98
- **Final Cost:** $19,534

### Savings

- **Monthly Savings:** Average utility bill reduction of $121
- **Payback Period:** 11.3 years
- **25-Year Savings:** $52,999

[Get Your Personalized Quote](https://luminance.palmetto.com/home/buy-solar/step-1?utm_source=localorganic)

## Palmetto Reviews

Very good company to work with. I love the look of the **solar panels**. They installed them in **no time**. Palmetto did all the approvals – it was **hassle free**. The City of Aurora made the comment great company you picked to do your solar. Highly recommend Palmetto.

**Professional installation** process. Accommodation made for my schedule. Never bothered me during the whole process. **Tidy clean up** and clean appearance. Thank you.

I resisted going solar for years because of the cost of installation many quoted. Someone finally came from Palmetto and offered a **solar plan** that didn’t cost me a penny to install. They looked at my power bill and told me how many panels they would install. After everything was up and running, they even lowered my monthly bill.

## Key Takeaways

- Fort Collins gets over 300 sunny days a year, making it one of Colorado’s best cities for solar—and helping homeowners save around $53,000 over 25 years.
- Local incentives can lower your cost, including a Fort Collins Utilities rebate of $300 per kW (up to $1,500), a sales tax exemption, and net metering credits.
- You can go solar with no upfront cost through a LightReach lease, where Palmetto owns and maintains the system while you enjoy the savings.

## Fort Collins Electricity Prices

Curious about what you really pay for power in Fort Collins? Understanding local electricity costs is the first step toward smarter energy decisions.

Electricity prices in Colorado rose from 13.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.1 cents in 2024—about a 15% increase. Rates have tracked below the national average, yet they keep climbing steadily each year.

### Price of Energy: Colorado vs National Average  
0¢  
10¢  
20¢  
30¢  
13.7¢  
13.1¢  
15.0¢  
14.2¢  
16.0¢  
14.3¢  
16.5¢  
15.1¢

### Fort Collins Area Utility Providers

In Fort Collins, Xcel Energy served homes at about 14.3¢ per kWh in 2023 (the latest available data). That matches Colorado’s 2023 state average and sits below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.

### Fort Collins Utilities Electricity Rates

- **Xcel Energy:** 14.30¢  
- **CO Average:** 14.30¢  
- **US Average:** 16.0¢

## Colorado Solar Incentives

Several state and local [solar incentives in Colorado](/content/local/colorado/fort-collins/#incentives-table/index.html) can help offset the cost of installing solar in Fort Collins.

| 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, reducing the upfront cost of a solar installation automatically at the point of purchase. |  |
| Colorado Net Metering Policy | Net Metering | Colorado law requires investor-owned utilities (Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy) to credit residential solar customers at the full retail rate for excess electricity exported to the grid. |  |
| Fort Collins Utilities Residential Solar Rebate | Rebate | Fort Collins Utilities offers a residential solar rebate of $300 per kW of installed capacity, up to a maximum of $1,500 for a 5 kW system, for customers who register by March 31, 2026 and complete installation by September 30, 2026. | [Learn More](https://www.fcgov.com/solar-rebates/) |
| Fort Collins Utilities Residential Battery Storage Rebate | Rebate | Fort Collins Utilities offers a battery storage rebate of $300 per kWh of usable capacity, up to $6,000, for systems paired with solar and having a minimum capacity of 6 kWh. | [Learn More](https://www.fcgov.com/solar-rebates/) |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 Rebate Program | Rebate | Tesla’s ‘Next Million Powerwall 3 Rebate Program’ offers $500 back per Powerwall 3 unit installed, up to $1,000 per address (two units), with sales finalized by June 30, 2026 and installation completed by December 31, 2026. |  |
| Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program | Rebate | The Colorado RENU Loan Program, administered through the Colorado Clean Energy Fund and local credit unions, provides affordable, no-collateral financing for residential solar and battery storage installations. |  |

## Fort Collins Solar Irradiance

Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.

Fort Collins enjoys over 300 sunny days each year, plus high elevation that boosts solar output. Cold, clear winters actually help panels work efficiently, making this city excellent for solar production year-round.

### Solar Production in Fort Collins by Month

| System Size | Daylight Hours | Energy Production (kWh/day) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 kW | TBD | TBD |
| 7 kW | TBD | TBD |
| 10 kW | TBD | TBD |

### What Can Your Solar System Power?

#### Summer Production (July)

In July, your 10 kW system could power:

- **3.1 average homes** (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for **15 hours** AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge **4.7 Tesla Model 3** electric vehicles

#### Winter Production (December)

In December, your 10 kW system could power:

- **1.8 average homes** (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for **13 hours**
- or Fully charge **2.8 Tesla Model 3** electric vehicles

#### Annual Production

Over a year, your 10 kW system could:

- **Offset 10 tons** of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of **planting 177 trees**

## Leasing Solar Panels

In Fort Collins, Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through [LightReach](/content/products/lightreach/index.html). With a PPA, you pay a set price for each kilowatt-hour your panels produce, rather than a fixed monthly amount. Because panels make more power in summer, your solar bill rises then, but so do your savings.

### Frequently Asked Questions

- **Does Fort Collins, CO have net metering?**  
Yes, Fort Collins homeowners have access to net metering.

- **Do solar panels increase your home value in Fort Collins, CO?**  
Yes. If you **own your solar panel system**—either by paying cash or financing it—it can raise your home’s value in Fort Collins.

- **How much does it cost to go solar in Fort Collins, CO?**  
In Fort Collins, you can go solar with a **LightReach lease** starting as low as **$58–$104 per month** with no upfront cost.

- **How does leasing solar work and what’s the approximate cost in Fort Collins, CO?**  
Leasing solar with Palmetto’s **LightReach** program lets Fort Collins homeowners go solar with **no upfront cost**.

- **Do solar panels require maintenance in Fort Collins, CO?**  
Yes, but solar panels require very little maintenance in Fort Collins.

- **Does solar make sense in Fort Collins, CO?**  
Yes, solar makes sense in Fort Collins.

- **What’s the best solar company in Fort Collins, CO?**  
At **Palmetto Solar**, we combine national experience with a local focus in Fort Collins.