Adams County is located just northeast of downtown Denver and surrounding Denver International Airport and has a population of 441,603 over 1,192 square miles. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Adams County yields 1,387 kWh/kW per year, which is more than 10% greater than the national average of 1,200 kWh/kW per year.
Solar Market Potential
In assessing the potential for solar PV installations in Adams County, the SSTI team considered statewide renewable energy goals and determined the local deployment necessary to achieve these goals. In Colorado, all utilities must comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires a specified fraction of electric power to be produced by renewable sources. In Colorado, the RPS mandates 30% renewables by 2020.
Local solar project development keeps the economic and environmental benefits in the community. Targeting development of half of that renewable energy production through local/regional solar PV could produce the following impact over the next 5 years in Adams County:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
Adams County |
All Western Colorado Jurisdictions (16) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
52,074 |
106,876 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
265,577 |
545,068 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
989,513 |
1,654,317 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
1,372,455,000 |
2,506,083,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
144,960 |
264,695 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$1.8 billion |
$3 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
9,499 |
15,881 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
201,751 |
343,099 |
Visit our methods and assumptions page for more information on these estimates.
Local Installation Requirements
For specific information regarding local solar permitting, zoning, net metering or interconnection procedures, contact the appropriate office listed below.
Permitting & Inspection Procedures
Permitting and inspection for solar PV systems in Adams County currently follow standard permitting procedures. The County is exploring streamlined processes for solar, including the use of simplified solar specific permit forms. In addition to the County building permit, an electrical permit must be obtained through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
- Visit Adams County’s Building Section website or call 720.523.6825 for general information about the County’s solar permitting process
- Visit the State Electrical Board’s website to apply and pay for your electrical permit online as well as to schedule an inspection. On this page, you’ll find a link specifically for Photovoltaic Installers.
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
United Power, Xcel Energy, Intermountain REA and Morgan County REA all provide for the County. Solar related information is easily accessible online via the direct links below.
- Visit United Power’s Green Power Webpage for general information
- United Power’s Net Energy Metering & Interconnection Process is available online
- United Power’s Interconnection Agreement are available online
- Visit Xcel’s Solar Webpage for general information
- Xcel’s Net Energy Metering Process is available online
- Xcel’s Interconnection Manual are available online
- Xcel’s solar incentive information can be found by clicking the “Local Solar Financing” button below.
- Visit Intermountain REA’s Green Power Webpage for general information
- Intermountain REA’s Net Metering Process is available online
- Intermountain REA’s Interconnection Process in not available online
- Visit Morgan County REA’s Webpage for general information
- Morgan County REA’s Net Metering Process is available online
- Morgan County REA Interconnection Process is not available online
Local Solar Resources
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General Solar Resources
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Solar Roadmap
To facilitate efforts to capture the local solar opportunity, the Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the County to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap as described and accessible below. This solar roadmap contains specific, actionable steps that can be pursued to improve permitting and inspection processes and develop solar friendly municipal regulations and guidelines.
