Lake County is in a high altitude region of Central Colorado with a population of 7,310 over 377 square miles and contains the highest natural point in the Rocky Mountains. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Lake County yields 1,470 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 Lake 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 Lake County:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
Lake County |
All Western Colorado Jurisdictions (16) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
1,426 |
106,876 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
7,273 |
545,068 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
15,455 |
1,654,317 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
22,719,000 |
2,506,083,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
2,400 |
264,695 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$29 million |
$3 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
148 |
15,881 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
3,340 |
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 Lake 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 the Lake County’s Building & Land Use webpage or call (970) 641-8152 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
Xcel Energy and Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SCEA) are the electricity providers for the County. Solar related information is easily accessible online via the direct links below.
- Visit Xcel’s Solar Webpage for general information
- Xcel’s Net Energy Metering Process is available online
- Xcel’s Interconnection Manual is available online
- Xcel’s solar incentive information can be found by clicking the “Local Solar Financing” button below.
- Visit SCEA’s Webpage for general information
- SCEA’s Net Metering Rate Schedule is available online
- SCEA’s Interconnection Policies is 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.
