RESIDENTIAL FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Exceptional energy cost savings & protection against rising utility rates

In the past 30 years, Colorado has seen its electricity prices increase an average of 2.9% annually, with steeper rises expected in future years. If your monthly energy bill is now $150 (using Colorado’s average 2.9% annual electricity price increase), in 30 years, your monthly energy bill will be $343.67, and you will have spent $84,261 to “rent” energy from the utility. When you purchase a solar system, you are essentially purchasing 30 years’ worth of your home’s energy at today’s rates.

Financing for Your Residential Solar

Empowered Energy Systems LLC is an authorized contractor for the  Collective Clean Energy Fund’s RENU Loan, a loan that offers zero money-down financing. The RENU loan is a collaborative loan product offered by the Colorado Energy Office and Colorado-based Elevations Credit Union and Westerra Credit Union.

Residential solar customers apply directly to Elevations Credit Union or Westerra Credit Union. These loans have no hidden dealer fees, and the Colorado Energy Office reviews every solar design.

We encourage you to check with your bank or credit union to see what loan products they offer for a solar installation.

Financial Incentives for Residential Solar

Customers with grid-tied solar electric systems accumulate a bank of energy credits with the utility that they can use at night or during periods of inclement weather. Some utilities offer a 1:1 credit, allowing you to offset your energy cost with solar!

 Sales tax exemption: Colorado exempts state sales tax on the purchase of solar energy equipment.  Reducing upfront costs and increasing your ROI.

Property Tax Exemption: Colorado excludes the value of your solar PV system when assessing your home’s property value.

Colorado offers a 10% tax credit on equipment used specifically for energy storage i.e. Hybrid inverters, batteries, and associated warranties.

Multiple customers over the years have reported that their homes stay up to 10 degrees cooler in the summer because of the air gap between the roof and the solar panels. The panels heat up instead of your roof, which will keep the house overall at a lower temperature.

When we perform deinstallations, it’s obvious that the S side of the roof (the side under the solar system) is often in MUCH better shape than the N side. South-facing roofs without solar are always much more sun and weather-damaged than the roofs with solar. The sun degrades shingles and the rubber on roof screws much more rapidly if not covered by a solar array.

Homes with solar installations sell faster and for a higher price without adding to your yearly taxes. Zillow reported in 2025 that homes with solar in Colorado sell for 6.9% higher.  6.9% of a $400k home is $27,600. Homes with solar stand out from homes without, increasing the chances a home buyer would choose your home.

Solar has a solid ROI compared to other investments. Homeowners see a positive internal rate of return (IRR) comparable to or better than other home improvements or long-term savings instruments.

Solar has a solid ROI compared to other investments. Business owners still see a positive internal rate of return (IRR) often comparable to or better than other improvements or long-term savings instruments. Depending on current energy usage, our commercial clients have seen an ROI in as little as 6-years.

Loan Details:

  • Loan Amount: Up to $75,000
  • Term: Up to 20 years; no money down
  • Rate: Low, fixed interest rate
  • Repayment: Monthly principal and interest payments; no prepayment penalties
  • Security: Secured by UCC-1 filing on installed measures only; no lien placed on property
  • Speed: Financing approvals generally within several business days
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