Solar Panel ROI in Colorado

· Source: NREL PVWatts

Is solar worth it in CO? Here's what the data says.

2.3x ROI Score
10.7 yrs Payback Period
$1,355/yr Annual Savings
$33,875 25-Year Savings

Your savings estimate

$ /mo bill
Annual savings $1,355
·
Payback 10.7 yrs
·
25-yr savings $33,875

25-Year ROI Timeline

With a 10.7-year payback, your system spends 14.3 years in profit after breaking even.

Payback (10.7 yrs)
Profit (14.3 yrs)
Year 0 Year 6 Year 13 Year 19 Year 25
System Cost $14,500
25-Year Savings $33,875
Net Profit $19,375

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Solar Calculator for Colorado

Adjust the values below to see your personalized solar ROI estimate.

kW
$
$ /kWh
5.66 kWh/m²/day
Based on NREL data for Colorado
ROI Score 2.3x
Annual Production 9,543 kWh
Annual Savings $1,355
Payback Period 10.7 years
25-Year Savings $33,875
System Cost $14,500

Colorado vs National Average

Solar Irradiance: Colorado vs National Average Colorado: 5.66 kWh/m²/day National Avg: 5.12 kWh/m²/day
Solar Irradiance 5.66 kWh/m²/day
+11% vs national avg
Payback Period 10.7 years Near average
Electricity Rate $0.142 /kWh Below avg

How We Calculated This

Our solar ROI calculations use data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts API, which models solar energy production based on location-specific solar irradiance, weather patterns, and panel tilt angles. We assume a standard 6kW residential system with south-facing panels at optimal tilt.

Electricity rates are sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Annual savings are calculated by multiplying estimated production by the local electricity rate. The ROI score represents total 25-year savings divided by system cost.

These estimates do not include the federal 30% ITC tax credit, state incentives, SRECs, or utility rebates, which can significantly reduce the effective payback period.

Solar ROI by Zip Code in Colorado

Explore solar data for specific zip codes in Colorado. Click any zip code for a full local breakdown.

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Solar Outlook for Colorado

Colorado's solar irradiance of 5.66 kWh/m²/day is 14.1% above the national average. With electricity at $0.142/kWh, the 10.7-year payback is moderate — though incentives and tax credits can significantly shorten it.

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