Make the switch to renewable energy

More and more opportunities exist to shift from fuels that generate greenhouse gases to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. You can also support renewable energy through Renewable Energy Certificates.

Boulder County voters recently approved establishment of the ClimateSmart Loan Program, through which qualified homeowners and business owners will be able to apply for loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Read more about the ClimateSmart Loan Program.

Purchase wind power 

Join the Boulder County Wind Challenge! Western Resource Advocates, Boulder County and the cities of Boulder and Longmont have teamed up with local energy providers to encourage businesses and individuals to make the switch to renewable energy.

• Xcel Energy's Windsource program allows customers to purchase wind-generated electricity.
   
• Longmont Power and Communications also provides the opportunity to purchase wind-generated electricity. LPC customers may sign up for wind-generated energy on the LPC web site.
   
• Western Resource Advocates also offers additional information on how and where to purchase renewable energy.

Solar opportunities

GEO Residential Solar Program (for hot water systems)

Boulder County, the Center for ReSource Conservation and the City of Boulder are piloting a new rebate program from the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) Residential Solar Program for Solar Domestic Hot Water systems. The pilot program is funded by GEO, with matching funds from Boulder and Boulder County.  Installations must be in Boulder County by an approved contractor, and half of the rebates will be designated for the city of Boulder.

Program Explanation and Approved Contractors (PDF)

Application (PDF)

Xcel Energy offers rebates to customers who install solar voltaic or PV electricity systems at their homes or businesses. Find out more about the Solar*Rewards program.

Do you already have an aging or non-functional solar system? Boulder County helps support the Center for ReSource Conservation's Orphan Solar Program, which provides a system evaluation and up to $500 to bring unproductive solar systems back to life.

For more information, call 303-441-3278 ext. 13.

Renewable Energy Certificates

Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects and are sold separate from commodity electricity. Customers can buy green certificates whether or not they have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer. And they can purchase green certificates without having to switch electricity suppliers

Learn more about Green Marketing and where to purchase REC’s by visiting the US Department of Energy’s Green Power Web site.

Additional Resources

• American Solar Energy Society
• California Energy Commission
• Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
• Colorado Energy Science Center
• Colorado Renewable Energy Society
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Solar Energy International