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Colorado Solar Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost and payback of a residential solar system in Colorado. Adjust system size, installed price, value captured and verified incentives using transparent 2026 planning data.

Federal residential solar credit in 2026: $0. CalcuRiver does not subtract the expired 30% Section 25D credit from this estimate. Add only local or utility incentives you have independently verified.
State planning yield1,598 kWh/kW
Installed-cost benchmark$2.68/W
Federal credit assumed0%
Electricity rateloading…
2026 state snapshot

What changes in Colorado

Colorado's residential electricity rate is 7.2% below the U.S. average. Combined with a planning yield of 1,598 kWh/kW-year and a $3/W installed-cost benchmark, the same 8 kW system produces a different state-level cost and value profile.

View Colorado electricity rates →
Residential electricity rate17.00¢/kWh7.2% below U.S. average
8 kW annual production12,784 kWh1,598 kWh/kW planning yield
8 kW gross benchmark cost$21,440$3/W planning benchmark
Annual value at full retail$2,173$181/month equivalent
Simple payback at full retail9.9 yearsBefore financing and unverified incentives
Existing city pages15Current CalcuRiver city coverage

This 8 kW snapshot is a comparison scenario, not a quote. It uses CalcuRiver's state planning yield, installed-cost benchmark and EIA 2026-07 residential rate. Actual roof production, export compensation, taxes, financing and local incentives can materially change the result.

state solar model

Build your Colorado scenario

Start with state planning benchmarks, then replace them with your actual quote or site-specific inputs.

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The state planning benchmark is not a statewide average and does not replace a roof-specific production model or utility export analysis.

Solar by utility

Utility-specific solar compensation and savings models.

UTILITYXcel Energyretail kwh bank
city coverage

Solar cost by city in Colorado

Open a city page for a location-specific production benchmark and local planning inputs.

ArvadaCity solar estimate →AuroraCity solar estimate →BoulderCity solar estimate →BroomfieldCity solar estimate →Castle RockCity solar estimate →Colorado SpringsCity solar estimate →DenverCity solar estimate →Fort CollinsCity solar estimate →GreeleyCity solar estimate →LakewoodCity solar estimate →LongmontCity solar estimate →LovelandCity solar estimate →PuebloCity solar estimate →ThorntonCity solar estimate →WestminsterCity solar estimate →

How this Colorado estimate works

  • Annual production = system size × 1,598 kWh/kW planning benchmark.
  • Retail-value ceiling = annual production × current Colorado residential electricity price.
  • The value-capture control lets you haircut that ceiling for self-consumption/export economics.
  • Simple payback = entered net installed cost ÷ modeled annual electricity value.

Source boundaries

1,598 kWh/kW-year planning benchmark for Colorado; a planning input, not a statewide average or site-specific roof forecast. Roof orientation, shading, equipment, local weather and utility export compensation can materially change the result.

Production methodologyCost benchmarkDetailed solar calculator
2026 state snapshot

How Colorado differs

Residential electricity17.00¢/kWh
8 kW annual production12,784 kWh
8 kW benchmark gross cost$21,440
Simple retail-value payback9.9 years

Colorado's July 2026 residential electricity benchmark is 7.2% below the U.S. average. Production and cost are planning benchmarks; utility export rules can change realized savings.

Rate source: EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A · 2026-07 preliminary.

methodology & sources

Colorado solar methodology

Production basis

1,598 kWh/kW-year planning benchmark for Colorado; a planning input, not a statewide average or site-specific roof forecast.

Installed-cost basis

2.68 $/W planning benchmark; this is not an installer quote.

Electricity benchmark

17.00¢/kWh residential state benchmark for 2026-07 (preliminary).

Utility treatment

State pages show a planning-level retail-value benchmark. Utility export compensation can materially change realized savings.

Methodology: Solar utility model · CalcuRiver methodology.

why this estimate changes

Why this solar estimate changes

Solar value is driven by local production, installed cost, the retail value of electricity you avoid buying, and the compensation you receive for exported energy. CalcuRiver does not assume export credits equal the retail rate unless that utility program is explicitly verified.

Core logic: self-used solar offsets retail purchases; exported solar is valued only under a verified export-compensation rule.

Methodology & source policy

Continue this cost analysis

Use the same state context to connect solar production with grid prices, storage and EV charging.

Colorado electricity ratesSee the grid-price benchmark used to value solar production.Colorado home battery economicsEstimate storage value and self-consumption in the same state.EV charging in ColoradoSee how the same electricity market affects vehicle charging.