The City of Glenwood Springs is the Garfield County seat and is located at the confluence of the Colorado River and Roaring Fork River with a population of 9,614 over 6 square miles. The City is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Glenwood Springs yields 1,425 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 Glenwood Springs, 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 Glenwood Springs:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
Glenwood Springs |
All Western Colorado Jurisdictions (16) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
1,179 |
106,876 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
6,013 |
545,068 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
21,908 |
1,654,317 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
31,219,000 |
2,506,083,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
3,297 |
264,695 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$41 million |
$3 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
210 |
15,881 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
4,589 |
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 Glenwood Springs currently follow standard permitting procedures. The City is exploring streamlined processes for solar, including the use of simplified solar specific permit forms.
- Visit Glenwood Springs’ Photovoltaic Requirements webpage or call (970) 384-6353 for general information about the City’s solar permitting process
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
- Glenwood Springs Electric is the electricity provider for the City. Solar related information is easily accessible online and direct links are below.
- Visit Glenwood Springs Electric’s Website for general information
- Glenwood Springs Electric’s Net Energy Metering Process is not available online
- Glenwood Springs Electric’s Interconnection Procedures are available online
- Glenwood Springs Electric’s solar incentive information can be found by clicking the “Local Solar Financing” button below.
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 City 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.
