Colorado Regulators Approve Major Win for Solar Equity

In spring of 2026, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved a new plan that will bring stronger solar and battery incentives to income-qualified households across the state.

GRID Alternatives convened an environmental justice coalition, including long-time partner organizations GreenLatinos and Vote Solar, to shape Xcel Energy’s Renewable Energy Plan for 2026 and 2027. As a coalition, our goal was to make sure the plan expanded access to solar and battery storage for income-qualified households and communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change, while continuing to fund workforce development and expand community solar.

After nearly six months of testimony, negotiation, and hearings, the coalition’s efforts paid off. The approved plan includes:

• A tripled rooftop solar incentive. Income-qualified households and disproportionately impacted communities will now receive $3 per watt through the Solar*Rewards Residential program, up from $1 per watt. This will come much closer to covering the full cost of going solar, putting solar savings within reach for low-income Coloradans who would otherwise be unable to access them.
• A stronger home battery incentive. The Renewable Battery Connect incentive for income-qualified customers rose to $1,000 per kilowatt, up from $800. Similarly, this means more Coloradans will be able to access the energy bill savings and resilience benefits that come with adding a home battery, even if they don’t have the funds to purchase one on their own. 
• More community solar access. Over 200 megawatts of shared solar capacity are rolling into a new Inclusive Community Solar program, for a total of 300 megawatts of community solar capacity, available as of this February. That’s enough new solar energy to power around 70,000 homes in Colorado, half of which will be low-income households per legislation. 
• Spanish-language materials. Program webpages, the income qualification form, and marketing materials will now be available in Spanish, reaching the one in ten Colorado households that speak Spanish at home.
• Better outreach tracking. Xcel Energy will now collect data on how well its outreach reaches income-qualified and disproportionately impacted communities, so progress can be measured going forward.

The plan is now moving into implementation as Xcel Colorado rolls out the new programs. This win shows what’s possible when community organizations show up consistently in regulatory processes, not just for one hearing, but through months of testimony and negotiation, to make sure clean energy policy works for the households that need it most.