City of Boulder - Solar Sales and Use Tax Rebate

Summary

In 2006, the City of Boulder established a solar sales and use tax rebate for photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating installations. Solar system owners may receive a rebate (essentially a tax refund) drawn from the unrestricted tax revenues collected from solar energy sales.

Out of the sales and use taxes paid to the City of Boulder for solar projects, approximately 55% of revenues go to restricted funds. Within one year of the city’s final inspection, solar project owners can apply to receive a refund of 35% from the amount paid to unrestricted (general) funds, making the value of the refund about 15% of the city sales and use tax paid. The average rebate is approximately $140 for a 4.5 kW photovoltaic system.

The remaining 65% of the unrestricted revenues are used to fund the Solar Grant Program. The Solar Grant Program funds solar energy systems for local nonprofit organizations and income-qualified homeowners.

An application for Boulder's Solar Energy Sales and Use Tax Rebate is available here, and an immigration form must be completed and returned with all applications to comply with House Bill 06S-1023.

Grant Criteria can be found here.