Solar Resources

Solar Design

How to Apply for a Building Permit

For questions regarding code requirements of your project, please contact Scott Greer, Plans Reviewer at sgreer@cityofgolden.net.

Financing Options for Solar

  • Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing

    Jefferson County, including the City of Golden, is a participating party in C-PACE, which enables owners of eligible commercial and industrial buildings to finance up to 100 percent of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation eligible Improvements. Financing is provided by private capital providers at competitive rates with repayment terms up to 20 years.

    For more information or to apply for financing, visit the Colorado C-PACE website or contact Golden Sustainability Coordinator Theresa Worsham at goldensustainabilty@cityofgolden.net or the Jeffco property assessor’s office at assessor@jeffco.us.

  • Private Loans

    Solar loan payments are often less than your electric bill and offer fixed rates and flexible terms. Contact your local bank or credit union to ask about programs. 

  • Third Party Financing

    Solar Leasing or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). In the PPA model, an installer/developer builds a solar energy system on a customer’s property at no cost. The solar energy system offsets the customer’s electric utility bill, and the developer sells the power generated to the customer at a fixed rate, typically lower than the local utility. At the end of the PPA contract term, property owners can extend the contract and even buy the solar energy system from the developer. In the lease model, a customer will sign a contract with an installer/developer and pay for the solar energy system over a period of years or decades, rather than paying for the power produced. Solar leases can be structured so customers pay no up-front costs, some of the system cost, or purchase the system before the end of the lease term. Similar leasing structures are commonly used in many other industries, including automobiles and office equipment.

Tax Credits

  • Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

    Residential renewable tax credits are available for Geothermal Heat, Small Wind Energy, and Fuel Cells. For a list of policies and incentives in Golden, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency website (DSIRE).

  • Solar Systems are exempt from property taxes

    Residential photovoltaic installations and some other renewable energy installations, like wind, up to 2 megawatts in size are 100 percent exempt from property taxes in Colorado. The system must primarily be used to supply electricity to the onsite home or building.

Learning More about Solar

  • Free Training

    Want to learn more about renewable energy?  Check out this free renewable energy online course.

  • Community Solar

    Since 2009, Golden has actively pursued options for siting one or more community solar “gardens” in Golden to allow wider access to solar investment for residents and businesses. Community Solar Gardens are allowed in all zone districts in Golden (city code 18.28.030). Systems over 100kw in size require a special use permit (city code 18.28.040).

Municipal Solar Projects

Solar Panels on the Golden Community CenterIn August 2013, City Council took a significant step forward toward achieving its renewable energy goals. Solar panels are under construction at nine City facilities including the Tony Grampsas Gymnasium, the City’s maintenance shops, Splash at Fossil Trace, Golden Community Center, and the Public Works and Planning Administrative Building.

In 2007, Golden’s City Council passed Resolution 1792, which included a goal of reducing energy consumption by 20% and producing 50 percent of the City’s total energy consumption by renewable energy by 2017. In 2009, the City implemented energy efficiency upgrades for lighting, heating & air conditioning, and automatic controls (occupancy sensors, lighting shut-offs) and the solar thermal system to heat the Golden Community Center pool. The new solar PV project brings the City up to nearly 10 percent of the total electric consumption. Energy production is guaranteed through an energy performance contract with McKinstry Inc. The project also used the services of local solar installers. McKinstry will provide performance measurement and verification services to guarantee the City’s cost savings. The $2.9 million project is expected to be paid back with energy savings over 16 years.

COG Mesa

 Golden has 402 acres of open space
and maintains 253 acres of parks right within the city itself.

Additional Resources

City of Golden, Colorado
COG Mesa
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