Community solar: the closest thing to rooftop
Colorado has had community solar gardens for years: off-site arrays where subscribers buy or lease a share and receive credits on their electric bill. Xcel and some co-ops have programs, and there are several subscription providers. We don’t sell subscriptions and don’t recommend a specific provider.
Before signing, read how the credit is calculated, whether the savings are guaranteed or estimated, how long the contract runs, and what it costs to leave if you move. Portable subscriptions that follow you within the same utility territory are easier to live with.
Condos and townhomes
If you own a townhome with your own roof, you may be in a different position — see our page on HOA denials, since Colorado law limits what an HOA can require. In a condo building, solar is usually an association decision covering the whole building. A building-wide array can offset common-area power like hallways, elevators and garage lighting, and we can price that for a board.
Talking to a landlord
Landlords who pay their own common-area power, or who own a single-family rental where the tenant pays the bill, face a split incentive: the owner pays for solar and the tenant gets the savings. Some landlords still do it to make the property easier to rent. A lease or PPA, where the landlord pays nothing up front, can make that conversation easier.
EV charging for renters
If you drive electric, a Level 2 charger in a rented garage is often the most useful upgrade — with the landlord’s written permission. Some Colorado cities have offered rebates for multifamily charging; Golden, for example, listed a multifamily Level 2 rebate in 2026. Your landlord or HOA would usually be the applicant.
What to do next
- 1Check your utility’s website for community solar options and compare contract terms.
- 2If you own a townhome, find out whether you own the roof — that changes everything.
- 3Condo owners: ask the board whether a common-area solar or EV project is on the table; we can present to boards.
- 4Renters with an EV: ask your landlord in writing about a Level 2 charger.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Can I put portable or balcony solar on my apartment?
Small plug-in panels are emerging, but rules depend on your utility and building. Longmont Power & Communications, for instance, has said it will allow plug-in solar up to 1,920 watts with notification starting January 1, 2027. Check your own utility and lease first. We don’t install plug-in kits.
Does community solar save as much as rooftop?
Usually less, because the provider takes a share. The trade-off is no upfront cost, no roof work and portability. Savings vary by contract, so compare the credit rate against what you pay.
Can my condo HOA install solar for the whole building?
Yes, as a board decision. It typically offsets common-area electricity rather than individual units. Commercial-style financing or a PPA can keep the upfront cost off the association’s reserves.
If my landlord adds solar, will my rent go up?
That’s between you and your landlord. If you pay the electric bill, ask how the solar credits will appear on it before agreeing to any rent change.