FORT COLLINS · COLORADO

FORT COLLINS RENTERS: HB26-1007 APPLIES HERE TOO. HERE'S YOUR GUIDE.

Fort Collins has its own municipal utility - Fort Collins Utilities - with a different rate than Xcel Energy. HB26-1007 still applies. Sol Country shows you what balcony solar saves at Fort Collins rates.

195
DAYS
23
HOURS
0
MIN
UNTIL HB26-1007 TAKES EFFECT JAN 1, 2027
1,920WMax Colorado
$0.118Fort Collins Utilities avg rate
CSUColorado State University - high renter concentration
FIND MY FORT COLLINS SAVINGS →
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SavingsThe lawCommunity solarRebatesJoin waitlist

SOL COUNTRY RECOMMENDATION FOR FORT COLLINS RENTERS

CRAFTSTROM 395W STARTER KIT

Fort Collins Utilities' rate of ~$0.118/kWh is lower than Xcel's - making the payback period longer than in Denver or Boulder. A 395W starter kit is the right entry point: lower cost, lower risk, and still meaningful long-term savings.

Annual savings~$66/yr at FCU rates
Payback period~6 years
State limit1,920W max in Colorado

Colorado State University students: a 395W kit pays for itself well within your college years and moves with you when you graduate.

STEP 1 - FIND YOUR SITUATION

WHAT KIND OF OUTDOOR SPACE DO YOU HAVE?

Your outdoor space determines which kit works, how to mount it, and what your landlord can say about it.

MOUNTINGRailing mount recommended · No drilling required
COLORADO NOTEMost Fort Collins apartments have south or southwest-facing balconies - excellent solar exposure. A railing mount attaches directly with no drilling required.
TAKES IT WITH YOUYes - unclamp in 10 minutes when you move

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER HB26-1007

395W - NO APPROVAL NEEDED

  • •No electrician
  • •No permit
  • •No HOA approval
  • •No landlord permission
  • •Just plug it in

UP TO 1,920W - LICENSED TIER

  • •Licensed electrician required
  • •Dedicated circuit required
  • •Still no utility approval needed
  • •Landlord still cannot prohibit

HB26-1007 takes effect January 1, 2027. Both tiers are protected - your landlord cannot prohibit either compliant installation after that date.

WANT TO NOTIFY YOUR LANDLORD?

Sol Country generates a professional letter referencing HB26-1007 specifically - ready to email in 30 seconds.

GENERATE LANDLORD LETTER →

FORT COLLINS UTILITIES PROGRAMS

FCU RATEFort Collins Utilities (FCU) serves Fort Collins - not Xcel. FCU's rate of ~$0.118/kWh is slightly lower than Xcel's, which means a slightly longer payback on solar.
EFFICIENCY REBATESFort Collins Utilities Home Efficiency Rebates
STATEWIDE HEARColorado statewide HEAR rebates available regardless of utility

Check fcgov.com/utilities for current FCU solar and battery programs - Sol Country will have FCU-specific program data soon.

YOUR FORT COLLINS SAVINGS

WHAT PLUG-IN SOLAR SAVES AT FORT COLLINS UTILITIES RATES.

Fort Collins is served by Fort Collins Utilities - a municipal utility with slightly lower rates than Xcel Energy. Lower rates mean a slightly longer payback period, but Fort Collins also gets exceptional solar exposure.

Kit sizeAnnual generationSavings now10-yr savings
395W
560 kWh/yr$66/yr$660+
800W
MOST POPULAR FOR FORT COLLINS RENTERS
1,140 kWh/yr$134/yr$1,340+
1,200W
1,710 kWh/yr$202/yr$2,020+
1,920W (max CO)
2,736 kWh/yr$322/yr$3,220+

Fort Collins Utilities customers: Check FCU's website for any local solar incentive programs in addition to Colorado state programs.

Get my exact Fort Collins estimate →

CSU STUDENTS

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RENTERS: THIS APPLIES TO YOU.

Colorado State University has over 33,000 students - most living in off-campus rentals in Fort Collins. HB26-1007 applies to all Fort Collins rental units including apartments near campus. Portable plug-in solar panels move with you at the end of the lease - perfect for students who move every year. Take your panel from your junior year apartment to your senior house to your first job apartment after graduation.

Full HB26-1007 guide →

CSU STUDENTS

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RENTERS: THIS APPLIES TO YOU.

Colorado State University has over 33,000 students - most living in off-campus rentals in Fort Collins. HB26-1007 applies to all Fort Collins rental units including apartments near campus. Portable plug-in solar panels move with you at the end of the lease - perfect for students who move every year. Take your panel from your junior year apartment to your senior house to your first job apartment after graduation.

Find my Fort Collins savings →

AVAILABLE TODAY IN FORT COLLINS

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL JANUARY? FORT COLLINS COMMUNITY SOLAR IS AVAILABLE NOW.

Community solar lets Fort Collins renters subscribe to a local Colorado solar farm and receive credits on their utility bill today - with $0 upfront and no installation required.

$0 UPFRONT
No installation
5-15% OFF YOUR BILL
Monthly credits applied automatically
AVAILABLE IN FORT COLLINS TODAY
Multiple providers serving the area
Find Fort Collins community solar →

FORT COLLINS UTILITIES PROGRAMS

FORT COLLINS UTILITIES CUSTOMERS - CHECK YOUR LOCAL PROGRAMS.

Community Solar Credits

Subscribe to a Colorado solar farm and receive bill credits each month - no installation, no upfront cost.

Battery Connect ($5,500 max)

Xcel Energy pays up to $5,500 for qualifying home battery installations enrolled in their demand-response program.

Wildfire PSPS preparedness

Xcel and Colorado utilities offer outage preparedness rebates and resources, especially for at-risk areas.

Note: Fort Collins Utilities customers should also check FCU's local solar incentive programs.

Full Xcel Energy guide →

JOIN THE FORT COLLINS WAITLIST

Sol Country emails Fort Collins renters 90, 30, and 7 days before January 1 with kit recommendations and your exact FCU savings estimate.

FIND YOUR EXACT FORT COLLINS SAVINGS.

Find my exact savings →

OTHER COLORADO CITY GUIDES

Denver →Boulder →Colorado Springs →Full Colorado state guide →