La Plata County is located on the southern border of Colorado and has a population of 51,334 over 1,692 square miles. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. La Plata County 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 La Plata 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. For cooperative utilities such as La Plata Electric Association, which serves the County, the RPS mandates 10% 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 La Plata County:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
La Plata County |
All Western Colorado Jurisdictions (16) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
8,365 |
106,876 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
42,660 |
545,068 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
145,858 |
1,654,317 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
207,848,000 |
2,506,083,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
21,953 |
264,695 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$270 million |
$3 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
1,400 |
15,881 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
30,682 |
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
All PV systems require an electrical permit from the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The County currently does not require any additional local permits for retrofit PV systems. Systems installed on new structures are handled through the standard building permit process. The County is exploring a streamlined permit process for structural review of PV systems, including the use of a simple solar specific permit form. Check with the building department for recent updates.
- 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.
- Visit La Plata County’s Building Department website or call (970) 382-6250 for general information about the County’s solar permitting process.
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is the electricity provider for the County. Solar related information is easily accessible online and direct links are below.
- Visit LPEA’s Solar Webpage for general information
- LPEA’s Net Metering Program Information is available online
- LPEA’s Interconnection Procedures are available online
- Visit LPEA’s Green Power Website for additional options
- LPEA’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 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.
