When mountain solar pencils out
A sunny, south-facing roof or an open meadow for a ground mount, a home with year-round electric use, and a plan to stay put. Clear mountain air and cold panel temperatures help production on the days the sun is out.
If trees shade the roof for much of the winter day and you’re not willing or able to thin them, we’ll likely recommend against rooftop solar — or suggest a battery for backup without panels.
Ground mounts in Evergreen
We build ground mounts, and on Evergreen parcels they’re often the better array: aimed exactly south, set at a steep snow-shedding tilt and placed in the sunniest clearing. They cost more per watt in trenching and foundations; we price the specific site rather than assuming the rooftop number.
Sizing for Xcel versus CORE
On Xcel, which serves the CDP itself, exports are credited one-for-one and the credits roll forward, so a system sized close to your annual use works well; the question is how much of your use falls in the 5–9 p.m. weekday on-peak window. On CORE, systems of 10 kW AC or less net 1:1 through the year, but leftover credits are paid at a much lower avoided-cost rate, so oversizing to “sell back” power rarely pays.
Check the utility name on your bill before comparing quotes. We verify the current tariff and size limit for your utility in every proposal.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Does solar cost more in the mountains?
Rooftop equipment pricing is the same $2.80–$3.25 per watt. Steep roofs, access, snow-load engineering and ground-mount trenching can add cost on specific sites; we quote after seeing the property.
Do I need Jefferson County approval for solar in Evergreen?
Yes — an electrical permit from Jefferson County Building Safety. Standard residential rooftop systems don’t need a Planning & Zoning permit or plan review.
Does it matter whether my Evergreen home is on Xcel or CORE?
Yes. Xcel, which serves the CDP itself, credits exports 1:1 and rolls credits forward. CORE, common just outside the CDP, pays annual leftovers at a far lower rate and adds a demand charge. The name on your bill tells you which applies.
Can I still get a federal tax credit for solar in Evergreen?
Not on a system you buy — the §25D homeowner credit ended for systems completed after 2025. Leases and PPAs can still carry §48E value if placed in service by end of 2027.