Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

City of Boulder - Solar Sales and Use Tax Rebate

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
Implementing Sector:
Local
State:
Colorado
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar Water Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Solar Pool Heating
Website:
https://bouldercolorado.gov/solar/solar-rebate-and-solar-grant-programs
Incentive Amount:
~15% refund on sales and use tax for the solar installation
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Residential
Last Updated:
07/27/2020

Summary

In 2006, the City of Boulder established a solar sales and use tax rebate for photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating installations. Solar system owners may receive a rebate (essentially a tax refund) drawn from the unrestricted tax revenues collected from solar energy sales.

Out of the sales and use taxes paid to the City of Boulder for solar projects, approximately 55% of revenues go to restricted funds. Within one year of the city’s final inspection, solar project owners can apply to receive a refund of 35% from the amount paid to unrestricted (general) funds, making the value of the refund about 15% of the city sales and use tax paid. The average rebate is approximately $140 for a 4.5 kW photovoltaic system.

The remaining 65% of the unrestricted revenues are used to fund the Solar Grant Program. The Solar Grant Program funds solar energy systems for local nonprofit organizations and income-qualified homeowners.

An application for Boulder's Solar Energy Sales and Use Tax Rebate is available here, and an immigration form must be completed and returned with all applications to comply with House Bill 06S-1023.

Grant Criteria can be found here.