Based on: 40 kWh/day usage · 14 kW solar · 5 kWh battery · typical tariffs

Solar & Battery Savings in Colorado, United States Get quotes from local installers

Design solar and battery systems for Colorado using Photonik's professional design platform. Colorado's Front Range enjoys 300+ sunny days per year and rising electricity rates. Xcel Energy dominates the Denver metro. Net metering rules and export rates affect payback — self-consumption remains the core savings driver.

Compare solar savings and payback across US states →

Solar Energy Savings in Colorado

How Solar Reduces Your Electricity Bills

The calculations below show how your electricity bills change with solar.

Calculating...

Based on: 40 kWh/day usage · 14 kW solar · 5 kWh battery · typical tariffs

Adjust these amounts in the next section

Old Bill (Before Solar): Monthly: 264.0 | Annual: 3168.0

New Bill (With Solar): Monthly: 116.0 | Annual: 1398.0

Monthly Savings: $ 148.0 | Annual: $1770.0 | Bill Savings: 56%

Monthly Savings

$ 148.0

Annual savings: $1770.0 | Bill Savings: 56%

What drives your savings in Colorado

Colorado's retail rates average around 12c/kWh with export credits near 8c/kWh in Xcel Energy's net metering programme — the dominant utility on the Front Range. Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins benefit from 300+ sunny days and ~5 kWh/m²/day irradiance. Colorado exempts solar equipment from property tax assessments. Hail risk on the Front Range makes module durability and insurance considerations worth planning for at design stage.

Panel Placement Tool Colorado

Loading panel placement tool...

This is a simplified panel layout tool — if you hit issues here, or need multiple groups, shading, or generation calcs, use the full Photonik design tool.

Your usage & system size Colorado

Energy usage & tariffs

Energy consumption patterns in Colorado reflect the state's humid subtropical climate, with high cooling needs during hot summers. The average Colorado household uses between 30-40 kWh per day, with higher consumption during summer months for air conditioning. Energy-efficient properties throughout Colorado often use significantly less through modern insulation, efficient HVAC systems, and smart thermostats.

Before installing solar, consider reducing your energy consumption through improved insulation and energy-efficient appliances. This is particularly valuable in Colorado, where reducing consumption can lower required solar system size and improve returns.

Daily Energy Usage: 40 kWh (~$264.0/month)

5 kWh 100 kWh

Electricity Cost

$ /kWh

Sell Price (FiT)

$ /kWh

Self Use %

lightbulb Note: These are simplified estimates. For detailed tariff inputs and advanced calculations, use the full Photonik app.

Representative flat export rate (feed-in tariff). What you earn per kWh of surplus solar exported to the grid. Your actual rate depends on your provider, plan, and time of day.

See how export rates work →

Estimated at 75% of the retail grid rate. A battery lets you store daytime solar and export during expensive peak hours, so each exported kWh is typically worth more than a flat feed-in tariff. Real returns depend on your time-of-use tariff and battery efficiency.

See how export rates work →

Solar system size

You'll need around 10.5kW of solar to match your average consumption in Colorado. We recommend sizing between 15.8kW and 21.1kW for optimal results, accounting for daily and seasonal variations. Colorado has good solar potential, with most regions averaging 4.5-5.0 kWh/kW/day annually.

A 15.8 kW system in Colorado generates approximately 65.8 kWh daily on average, with seasonal variation from 3.10 kWh/kW/day in December to 4.76 kWh/kW/day in August. Colorado's solid solar irradiance and favourable net metering make solar attractive for homeowners across the state.

Solar System Size: 14 (58 kWh/day)

1 kW 20 kW

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A 14 kW system in Colorado can generate approximately 21295.0 kWh annually based on local sun conditions.

Battery storage

With solar-only (no battery), a 15.8 kW system provides approximately 50% self-usage in Colorado, depending on your consumption patterns, drawing 50% from the grid. Adding a 10 kWh battery increases energy independence to approximately 72% annually, reducing grid reliance to 28%. Battery storage is valuable in Colorado, allowing you to store excess summer generation for evening use and providing backup power during outages.

A battery shifts solar energy from daytime overproduction into evening peak use. For accurate battery savings and ROI calculations specific to your utility, use the full Photonik design tool.

Battery Size: 5 kWh

0 kWh 30 kWh

lightbulb A 0kWh battery will make you about 0% self sufficient.

The sweet spot for most households is 5 – 13 kWh — larger batteries add independence but with diminishing payback, especially where feed-in tariffs are low.

System Pricing & Payback for Colorado

Use the full Photonik solar planning and design platform to model a complete system for your home — including detailed costs, equipment options, and financial returns.

Try Photonik Solar Design

For a quick price guide, see the United States solar calculator.

Solar Installers Denver

Denver is Colorado's largest solar market, Xcel Energy territory. Retail ~12c/kWh, export ~8c/kWh. Front Range gets 300+ sunny days and ~5 kWh/m²/day irradiance; hail is a real risk — impact-rated modules and insurance considerations matter. Bungalows and newer infill in Highlands and Stapleton areas have strong roof access.

Example local businesses with published addresses; not ranked by Photonik or by star ratings.

Solar RNR — 4771 Fox St, Denver, CO 80216
Liv Solar LLC — 10343 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80260
Lifetime Roof & Solar — 9525 E 40th Ave, Suite 160C, Denver, CO 80238