Colorado Passes Solar-Friendly Legislation

Measures to make renewable energy more accessible to residents

June 2009

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed legislation in April and May that will provide homeowners, renters, and businesses new options for financing solar electric systems and, in the new housing market, will encourage construction of "solar ready homes."

Renewable Energy Finance Act

Ritter signed the Renewable Energy Finance Act on Earth Day, April 22. The act expands the loans guaranteed by the state under the Colorado Clean Energy Finance Program; allows additional organizations such as credit unions to initiate loans; expands the number of companies that are certified as solar installers to participate in the program; and, for the first time, allows businesses to participate in the program.

The bill also makes it more affordable for residents of low-income housing developments and nonprofit entities to purchase solar electric and energy efficiency improvements. In his signing statement, the governor said the bill is expected to generate millions of dollars in new investment in renewable energy.

Learn more by reading the governor's April 22 press release.

Solar Ready Homes Bill

On May 4, Ritter signed another bill that will encourage construction of "solar ready homes" as part of a long-term strategy to make renewable energy more accessible to residents and to create new jobs across the state.

The bill:

• Requires homebuilders to offer prospective homeowners the options of having their home pre-wired for a photovoltaic solar generation system and pre-wired and pre-plumbed for a solar thermal system
• Requires homebuilders to provide homeowners with a list of solar system installers derived from a master list maintained by the Governor's Energy Office
• Gives homebuyers the ability to incorporate solar technology purchases into their original mortgage
• Directs the Governor's Energy Office to offer training on solar electric and solar thermal systems to builders of single-family detached homes.

The bill is aimed at helping homeowners move away from finite energy sources and save money by having the solar system prep work performed at the most economical point in the building process. Homes that are "solar ready" are also expected to have higher resale values. Furthermore, the bill is expected to help create jobs for engineers who design the systems and for system installers.

For more information, see the governor's May 4 press release and the text of the bill.