Greeley, CO Solar Panels
Solar Power in Greeley
If you live in Greeley, you’ve likely noticed your energy bills climbing. In fact, Colorado electricity prices have increased 22% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many homeowners searching for steadier costs. Solar installation offers a practical way to take control of those rising costs.
Colorado ranks 9th in the nation for residential solar, and Northern Colorado’s many sunny days make it well-suited for solar. To help you get started, explore our guide on home solar panels.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Greeley, CO?
See real solar costs for Greeley, based on actual installations we’ve completed across the area, including Evans, Garden City, Windsor, and La Salle. This calculator uses our firsthand local data to give you a clear, honest estimate for your home. No guesswork, just real numbers from your community.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Greeley homeowners can save around $56,000 over 25 years with solar, thanks to Northern Colorado’s 300+ sunny days and roughly 5.5 peak sun hours daily.
- Colorado electricity prices rose about 15% from 2021 to 2024, so producing your own solar power helps you gain steadier, more predictable energy costs.
- State and local incentives still make solar affordable through Colorado’s sales tax exemption, full retail net metering, and utility rebates, even without the federal tax credit.
Greeley Electricity Prices
If you live in Greeley, you’ve likely noticed your energy bills climbing. Understanding why can help you plan smarter.
Colorado electricity prices rose from 13.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.1 cents in 2024. That’s a steady increase of about 15% in just three years, and prices continue to trend upward.
Solar offers Greeley homeowners a way to take control of rising costs. With Northern Colorado’s many sunny days, panels can generate meaningful power. Learn more in our guide to home solar panels.
Over time, producing your own power helps protect you from unpredictable rate hikes. Instead of paying more each year, you gain steadier, more predictable energy costs for decades to come.
Price of Energy: Colorado vs National Average
Greeley Area Utility Providers
If you’re exploring solar installation in Greeley, CO, it helps to know your electricity costs. Xcel Energy serves the area, charging about 14.3¢ per kWh in 2023—matching Colorado’s state average and sitting below the national average of 16.0¢.
Greeley’s rates track the state average partly because Northern Colorado benefits from Xcel’s mix of energy sources, including wind and other renewables. This helps keep local prices lower than in many other regions across the country.
Even below-average rates can rise over time. Solar panel installation in Greeley lets you generate your own power and gain more predictable energy costs, making the most of Northern Colorado’s abundant sunny days.
Greeley Utilities Electricity Rates
Colorado Solar Incentives
Greeley homeowners can tap into several state and local programs that lower the cost of going solar. Explore the full list of solar incentives in Colorado below.
Colorado exempts solar equipment from its 2.9% state sales tax, and net metering credits you at full retail rate for excess power. Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program also offers upfront rebates for income-qualified customers.
While the federal 30% residential tax credit has ended, state and local incentives remain. Leasing through LightReach simplifies things, as Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes savings along.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Solar Equipment Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Colorado exempts solar energy equipment from the state’s 2.9% sales and use tax, reducing the upfront cost of a solar installation automatically at the point of purchase. | |
| Colorado Net Metering Policy | Net Metering | Colorado law requires investor-owned utilities (Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy) to credit residential solar customers at the full retail rate for excess electricity exported to the grid. | |
| Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards Program | Rebate | Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program offers income-qualified and Disproportionately Impacted Community customers an upfront rebate of $1 per watt (up to 10 kW AC) for installing residential solar, with the 2026 program opening May 21, 2026. | Learn More |
| Xcel Energy Renewable Battery Connect Program | Rebate | Xcel Energy offers residential battery storage rebates of $350/kW (up to $5,000) for standard customers, or $800/kW for income-qualified and Disproportionately Impacted Community customers, plus $100/year for up to 5 years for grid participation. | Learn More |
| Xcel Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Battery Rebate | Rebate | Xcel Energy offers up to $10,000 for home battery storage systems installed by customers who depend on electricity for life-sustaining medical equipment and live in high wildfire risk zones subject to Public Safety Power Shutoffs. | Learn More |
| Black Hills Energy Income-Qualified Solar Rebate | Rebate | Black Hills Energy offers income-qualified Colorado residential customers a solar rebate of $1 per watt (up to 25 kW) plus a production incentive of approximately 3.8 cents per kWh for 10 years. | |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 Rebate Program | Rebate | Tesla’s ‘Next Million Powerwall 3 Rebate Program’ offers $500 back per Powerwall 3 unit installed, up to $1,000 per address (two units), with sales finalized by June 30, 2026 and installation completed by December 31, 2026. | |
| Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program | Rebate | The Colorado RENU Loan Program, administered through the Colorado Clean Energy Fund and local credit unions, provides affordable, no-collateral financing for residential solar and battery storage installations. |
Colorado provides a full state sales tax exemption on the purchase of qualifying solar energy equipment, meaning homeowners in Greeley pay zero Colorado state sales tax (2.9%) on their solar installation. Qualifying components include solar modules, inverters, mounting racks and structures, wiring, control systems, and other components directly related to the solar installation.
This exemption is applied automatically at the point of purchase — you don’t need to file a separate application. On a typical Colorado residential solar installation costing $25,000–$35,000, the state sales tax exemption saves approximately $725–$1,015 in upfront costs.
Note that this exemption covers Colorado state sales tax only. Local city and county sales taxes may still apply depending on your municipality.
Colorado law requires all investor-owned utilities — primarily Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy — to offer net metering to residential solar customers. Under this policy, you receive a full retail-rate credit for every kilowatt-hour your solar system exports to the grid, the same rate you pay to purchase electricity. This is one of the strongest net metering policies in the country. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are not required to offer net metering, but most larger ones do.
Xcel Energy allows net-metered solar systems sized up to 200% of your annual electricity usage. Excess credits roll forward automatically to the next billing cycle. At the end of each calendar year, customers can choose to roll remaining credits into the next year indefinitely, or request a cash payout at Xcel’s Average Hourly Incremental Cost rate. Customers can also opt to receive kWh-based credits applied to future bills instead of cash.
Locking in net metering now is advantageous because homeowners who go solar today lock in current policy terms for the life of their interconnection agreement. States like California have already moved away from full retail crediting, and waiting carries regulatory risk on top of paying higher electricity bills in the meantime.
Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards Program provides upfront solar rebates to eligible residential customers in Colorado, including Greeley. The 2026 program opened on May 21, 2026 with a renewed incentive budget. Customers who qualify as Income Qualified or residing in Disproportionately Impacted (DI) Communities can receive an upfront rebate of $1 per watt of installed solar capacity, up to 10 kW AC. For a typical 5 kW system, this equals a $5,000 rebate — a significant reduction in upfront costs.
In addition to the upfront rebate, Solar*Rewards also offers a production incentive of approximately $0.02 per kWh generated by your solar system, paid over a 20-year contract term. Enrolling sooner locks in the current rate for the full contract period, as this per-kWh rate may decrease in future program years.
To apply, contact Xcel Energy or visit their official website before installation, as pre-approval is typically required. Eligibility is based on income relative to Area Median Income (AMI) or residence in a designated Disproportionately Impacted community within Xcel’s Colorado service territory.
Xcel Energy’s Renewable Battery Connect Program provides upfront rebates for qualifying home battery storage systems. The 2026 program opened on May 21, 2026 with a renewed incentive budget. Standard customers receive $350 per kW of battery capacity, up to $5,000 per application. Income-qualified customers and those residing in Disproportionately Impacted (DI) communities receive an enhanced rebate of $800 per kW, up to 75% of the equipment-only cost. Eligible battery models include all Tesla Powerwall models and all current Enphase models.
In addition to the upfront rebate, enrolled customers receive an ongoing payment of $100 per year for up to five years in exchange for allowing Xcel Energy to dispatch stored energy back to the grid during peak demand events — a virtual power plant arrangement that benefits both the homeowner and the broader grid.
Important note: The 2025 program budget was fully exhausted and the funding cycle closed in February 2026. The 2026 program has since reopened with new funding as of May 21, 2026. Pre-approval is required before installation, so contact Xcel Energy or visit their official website to confirm current availability and apply before your installation date.
Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Battery Rebate provides up to $10,000 for qualifying customers who install a home battery storage system. This program is specifically designed to protect vulnerable customers who depend on electricity for life-sustaining medical equipment and who live in areas prone to Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to high wildfire risk.
To qualify, homeowners must be enrolled in Xcel Energy’s Medical Certification Program or the Colorado Medical Exception Program, and must reside in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 wildfire risk zone within Xcel’s Colorado service territory. This rebate can be stacked with other Xcel battery incentives where eligible, making it one of the most valuable battery rebates available to qualifying customers.
Contact Xcel Energy directly to confirm your eligibility, verify your wildfire risk tier, and obtain pre-approval before purchasing or installing a battery system. As with all Xcel rebate programs, pre-approval before installation is strongly recommended.
Black Hills Energy offers income-qualified residential customers in Colorado a solar rebate of $1 per watt of installed solar capacity for systems ranging from 0.5 kW to 25 kW. For a typical 7 kW system, this equals a $7,000 upfront rebate — one of the largest utility solar rebates available in Colorado. Eligibility is based on household income relative to the Area Median Income (AMI); customers should contact Black Hills Energy directly to confirm their qualification status.
In addition to the upfront rebate, income-qualified customers can receive a production incentive of approximately 3.8 cents per kWh generated by their solar system for 10 years. This ongoing payment further reduces the effective cost of going solar and improves the long-term return on investment.
Black Hills Energy also offers all customers a $100 per kW rebate for paired battery storage systems, capped at $1,000 per customer. Contact Black Hills Energy directly to apply, confirm income eligibility, and obtain pre-approval before purchasing or installing your solar system.
Tesla’s Next Million Powerwall 3 Rebate Program offers homeowners $500 back per Powerwall 3 unit installed, covering both the Powerwall 3 and Powerwall 3 Expansion units. The maximum rebate is $1,000 per address (limited to two units). This manufacturer rebate is available directly from Tesla and can be stacked with utility and state incentives.
To qualify, the sale must be finalized and the rebate registered by June 30, 2026, and the installation must be completed by December 31, 2026. Missing either deadline will disqualify the installation from the rebate, so homeowners should plan their purchase and installation timeline carefully.
This rebate is particularly valuable when combined with Colorado’s 10% Residential Energy Storage Tax Credit (DR-1307), Xcel Energy’s Renewable Battery Connect Program, and any applicable local city rebates — all of which can be layered together to significantly reduce the net cost of a Powerwall 3 installation in Colorado.
The Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade (RENU) Loan Program is administered through the Colorado Clean Energy Fund in partnership with local credit unions across the state. It provides affordable financing for homeowners who want to install solar panels, battery storage, or other qualifying clean energy improvements — without requiring collateral or hidden fees.
Because the loan is administered through local credit unions, borrowers benefit from working with community-based lenders who are familiar with Colorado’s clean energy landscape. Loan rates are competitive and designed to make solar and storage accessible to homeowners who may not have the upfront capital to pay cash for a system.
To apply, homeowners in Greeley should visit the Colorado Clean Energy Fund’s website to find a participating credit union in their area and begin the application process. The RENU Loan can be used in conjunction with all available rebates and tax credits — meaning you can finance the full system cost and then apply rebates and credits to pay down the loan balance, further reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Colorado incentives.
Get a Free QuoteGreeley Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Greeley enjoys over 300 sunny days a year, giving solar panels plenty of energy. High elevation and cool temperatures actually boost efficiency, so even winter months contribute meaningful production to your home.
Solar Production in Greeley by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Greeley
We’ve mapped solar installations across the United States, right down to the neighborhood level. Explore this interactive heatmap to see how many homes in Greeley, CO have made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to discover how your community and neighbors are embracing clean energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Greeley, homeowners served by Xcel Energy can go solar with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through Palmetto’s LightReach program. With a PPA, you don’t buy the system—you simply pay a set price for the solar power it produces, often less than your current utility rate.
Unlike paying cash, a PPA requires no upfront investment and no maintenance worries. Palmetto owns and maintains the panels, so repairs and monitoring are handled for you. You get clean energy and predictable costs without the responsibility of ownership.
Curious whether a PPA or buying makes more sense for your home? Explore our guide on whether to buy or lease solar to weigh the options and find what fits your budget.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, Greeley, CO has net metering. Since Greeley is served by Xcel Energy, homeowners earn a full retail-rate credit for every kilowatt-hour of excess solar power sent to the grid. These credits carry over month to month as a dollar credit on your bill.
At the annual true-up, you can choose to roll credits over indefinitely or cash out any extra at Xcel’s Average Incremental Cost rate. This helps Greeley homeowners offset their electricity costs year-round.
Yes. In Greeley, purchased or owned solar panel systems can raise your home’s value. A Zillow study found homes with solar sell for about 4.1% more, since buyers gain lower electricity costs from day one.
This benefit applies to owned systems. Leased or PPA systems, like LightReach, may affect resale differently because the buyer typically assumes the existing lease agreement rather than owning the panels outright.
Many Greeley homeowners go solar with a LightReach lease, starting as low as $77 per month with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so you enjoy clean energy and predictable payments without the responsibility of ownership.
If you prefer to buy, a cash purchase for an average-sized Greeley home runs around $19,534. Note the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases after the 2025 law change. See our calculator above for pricing by home size.
With Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease, one simple monthly payment covers everything: the panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a comprehensive protection program with a 90% Production Guarantee. There’s no upfront cost, and because Palmetto owns the system, we claim the commercial tax credit and pass those savings to you.
For a typical 6.56 kW system in Greeley, the estimated payment is about $77/month. Since this is often less than your current electric bill, you can start saving from day one.
Yes, solar makes sense for many Greeley homeowners. With Northern Colorado’s 300+ sunny days and about 5.5 peak sun hours daily, homes here can save roughly $56,000 over 25 years while gaining steadier, more predictable energy costs as Xcel Energy rates continue rising.
If upfront cost is a concern, LightReach, Palmetto’s solar lease program, removes that barrier entirely. You can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, while Palmetto handles maintenance and monitoring.
In Greeley, a typical 10 kW home solar system can produce roughly 15,600 kWh per year, thanks to Northern Colorado’s 300+ sunny days and about 5.5 peak sun hours daily. Smaller 5 kW and 7 kW systems generate around 7,800 and 10,900 kWh per year.
Actual output varies with your roof direction, shading, and season. Production peaks in summer months like June and July and dips in December, when shorter days reduce daylight hours.
Yes. Greeley enjoys over 300 sunny days a year and roughly 5.5 peak sun hours daily, giving solar panels plenty of energy to work with across all four seasons.
Production naturally varies month to month. Long summer days deliver the most output, while shorter winter days produce less. Even so, Northern Colorado’s high elevation and cool temperatures actually boost panel efficiency, so winter still contributes meaningful power. Panels also generate electricity on cloudy days, just at reduced levels.