One utility, one permit office
Every Denver home and business we work on is served by Xcel Energy. That simplifies the utility side: one net-metering program, one time-of-use schedule, one interconnection process. Since November 2025, Xcel’s residential time-of-use on-peak window has been 5–9 pm on non-holiday weekdays, with on-peak prices about 2.7 times off-peak.
Xcel’s franchise with Denver runs through the end of 2026, and a new 20-year franchise is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. It doesn’t change how rooftop solar is credited, but it is worth knowing if you follow local energy policy.
SolarAPP+ and what still gets a manual review
Since 2023, Denver has used SolarAPP+ to issue quick permits for rooftop solar on single-family homes and duplexes. The city’s current criteria: a system under 10 kW DC, utility service of 400 amps or less, and application by a licensed electrician. Batteries, main-panel upgrades and panel deratings tied to the solar project can ride along on the same quick permit.
EV chargers, service upgrades, new AC panels, home rewiring and solar shingles fall outside SolarAPP+ and go through standard e-permitting. Ground mounts, panels that aren’t flush-mounted, and a battery or generator placed on the outside of the house also need a zoning permit.
Historic districts and landmarks
Denver has many designated landmarks and historic districts, and solar on those properties needs design review from Landmark Preservation before the permit is issued. In practice, that usually means keeping arrays low, off street-facing roof planes where possible, and in materials that read as part of the roof.
Colorado law limits how far a homeowners’ association can restrict solar, but landmark review is a separate city process. Build a few extra weeks into the schedule if your home is in a district.
Roofs, trees and hail
Denver’s mature street trees are one of its best features and one of the biggest challenges for solar. A shade analysis at the start tells you honestly whether a roof is worth covering; some aren’t, and we will say so.
The May 8, 2017 hailstorm caused roughly $2.3 billion in insured losses across the metro and remains the costliest in Colorado history. Many Denver roofs were replaced after it and may have 15-plus years left; others are due now. If your roof is near the end of its life, replacing it together with the solar install saves you paying to remove and reinstall panels later — and we do both.
City programs: check before you count on them
Denver has offered climate-action rebates for solar, batteries and heat pumps in recent years, but those programs have paused, changed or closed several times. We don’t build any city rebate into your numbers until the city confirms it is open to you.
Income-qualified households should ask the city’s Energy Resource Center about current assistance, which runs separately from the general rebates.
Rebates & programs
Programs change often. Status shown is what we could confirm on the date listed — always check with the program before you count on it.
Denver climate-action rebates (solar, battery, heat pump)
Status unconfirmedThe city has offered rebates for solar, batteries and heat pumps, but availability has changed repeatedly. We do not include them in estimates until confirmed open.
FAQ
Questions we hear
How fast can I get a solar permit in Denver?
Rooftop systems that meet Denver’s SolarAPP+ criteria — single-family or duplex, under 10 kW DC, service of 400 amps or less — can get a permit almost immediately once a licensed electrician submits them. Larger or more complex projects go through standard review, which takes longer.
My house is in a Denver historic district. Can I still go solar?
Usually, yes, but Landmark Preservation has to review the design first. Arrays on rear or side roof planes and low-profile mounting tend to get through review more easily.
Does a battery need a separate permit in Denver?
When it’s part of a SolarAPP+ solar project, it can be included on the same quick permit. A battery mounted on the outside of the house also needs a zoning permit.
Does Denver still offer solar rebates?
The city has offered them in the past, but they have changed repeatedly. Check Denver’s current climate rebate pages or ask us — we won’t count a city rebate until it is confirmed open.
My neighbor’s tree shades my roof. Is solar still worth it?
Sometimes. A proper shade analysis shows how many sun-hours the roof actually gets through the year. If the answer is poor, we’ll tell you, and point you toward options like a battery for time-of-use savings instead.
Will the Xcel franchise vote change my solar credits?
Not directly. The November 2026 ballot measure concerns Xcel’s franchise agreement with the city; net metering and time-of-use rates are set through the state Public Utilities Commission.