The City of Englewood is seeking ways to encourage solar energy development in our community. This webpage represents a collection of solar information and resources for the community. Our community’s solar goals can be found in its Solar Statement. For more information about the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals, read the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power and visit the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.

For communities working towards designation:

The City of Englewood is working to become a SolSmart designated community by implementing best practices to make it easier for residents and businesses to install and access solar energy. SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that has helped hundreds of local governments become “open for solar business.” Learn more about this program.

Policies and Processes

Our Solar Commitment

The city is committed to exceptional customer services as it relates to solar processes. To promote the continued advancement of solar in our community we are committed to the following:

  • Providing clear guidelines about the solar permitting and inspection process in our solar checklist.
  • Using an online solar specific permit application. 
  • Processing small rooftop solar PV permits applications in a turnaround time of 5 business days.
  • Offering inspection appointment times for solar projects (instead of appointment windows), if requested.
  • Working with solar partners, such as GRID Alternatives, that aim to increase energy equity by removing the financial barrier to accessing solar for low-income households.
  • The City of Englewood recognizes the general accessory use of solar PV systems in all zone districts as allowed by Table 4-2: Permitted Uses and the associated General Accessory Use specific use standards of Englewood Municipal Code (EMC) § 16-4-4. Learn More About Zoning Determination for Accessory Use Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Here

The Benefits of Going Solar 

Solar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies in Colorado, creates local jobs, saves money on energy costs, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.

Solar Maps and Potential

Investigate your property’s solar potential by clicking here. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator.

Solar Energy in Englewood

Data derived from Xcel Energy Community Energy Reports (2022) for City of Englewood that lists 41% of kWh from renewable energy. 2023 renewable energy percentage data pending. Total operations takes into consideration both kWh and therms.

  • Englewood municipal buildings with solar energy: Malley Senior Center, Civic Center, and the Service Center. Coming 2025: Englewood Recreation Center and Broken Tee Golf Course.
  • Municipal Operations Renewable Energy Usage: 32 percent (2023)
  • Number of residential solar PV permits issued since 2015: 719
  • Number of residential solar inspections processed: minimum two per permit
  • Average residential solar permit inspection timeline: 24 hours. 

Finding a Contractor and Going Solar

 Find a solar contractor(s) to assess your home or business for solar energy and provide a quote.

  • Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP.
  • Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers.
  • Solar Customer Resource Portal – various resources from SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association.
  • Solar Owner’s Manual – information for current solar homeowners to ensure they are getting the most out of their system from Solar United Neighbors. 

Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions

Typically, solar installations are paid for through loans, upfront payments, or a power purchase agreement (PPA).

Federal Incentives: There are many new incentives and funding opportunities available for solar and other clean energy technologies.  

  • A great place for residents to start identifying the federal incentives for which they are eligible is this calculator from Rewiring America. The rebates and incentives available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act can vary depending on your location and income.
  • Additional details about benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act can be found on the White House’s website or the Department of Energy website.

State and local incentives: 

  • Colorado does not have any general statewide property tax incentives for renewable energy.
  • However, §§ 30-11-107.3 and 31-20-101.3, C.R.S., allow county and municipal governments to “offer an incentive, in the form of a [county/municipal] property tax or sales tax credit or rebate, to a residential or commercial property owner who installs a renewable energy fixture on his or her residential or commercial property.”
  • Information about state incentives can be found in this database maintained by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. 
  • City of Englewood residents who meet income eligibility requirements may be able to secure free solar via GRID Alternatives Energy for All program.  
  • City of Englewood residents who meet income eligibility requirements may be able to participate in Energy Outreach Colorado’s Community Solar program.

Consumer Protections, Solar Rights, and Procedures 

Read the City of Englewood’s memo regarding the state’s Solar Access law  Version Options Solar Energy Resources Headline. This covers Colorado’s 1979 Solar/Wind Easements and Rights Law, the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (which covers solar access rights regarding properties covered under a homeowner’s association), and an association’s period of review and approval timeline for renewable energy devices. 

 Find other useful resources on solar rights, consumer protection, and procedures.

Job Training and Educational Opportunities

If you are interested in pursuing a career in solar energy, here are some links to regional and national educational courses, programs, and/or trainings offered from colleges, universities, technical institutions, and non-profits.

More Useful Solar Information