State of Renewables 2025 dashboard: Colorado ranks among national leaders in renewable growth, enters top 10 for solar generation

DENVER — Fueled by a near tenfold increase in solar generation since 2015, Colorado has climbed into the top 10 nationally for solar generation in 2024. This significant solar growth, combined with consistently strong wind generation, positions Colorado 7th in the nation for the amount of electricity the state produces from wind solar and geothermal in 2024, according to Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center’s State of Renewable Energy 2025 report. Last year, Colorado generated the equivalent of 43% of retail electricity sales from wind and solar.

“Colorado is making considerable progress in building a clean energy future,” said Henry Stiles, advocate with Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center. “Powering our lives with solar and wind energy, and switching to electric vehicles, which means cleaner air and a healthier environment for Coloradans.”

The report details Colorado’s progress:

• Solar power: A 985% increase in generation since 2015, ranking 10th for total generation in 2024.

• Wind power:  A 135% increase in generation since 2015, ranking 6th in the nation for total generation in 2024.

• Battery storage: Ranked 8th nationally for total 2024 battery capacity at 350 MW and 8th for total increase.

• Overall renewables: A 203% increase in solar and wind generation since 2015. Colorado achieved the equivalent of 43% renewable energy for retail electricity sales in 2024, ranking 7th nationally for total renewable energy generation in 2024.

Across Colorado, homeowners, businesses, schools and houses of worship are taking steps to power their operations with renewable energy. For example, one Denver-based company, AIS Industrial & Construction Supply installed a rooftop solar array on their building in an industrial part of Denver.

Choosing solar power with battery backup over diesel was an excellent decision for its reliability and long-term cost advantages,” said Dale Hahs, President & CEO at AIS Industrial & Construction Supply. “This sustainable move allowed us to proudly tell our customers that we achieved Certifiably Green Denver status in 2024.”

“Installing solar and battery backup provided AIS with cheaper, more reliable power and critical protection against outages,” said Andrew Ehrnstein, Solar 4 Planet A and Energy Consultant owner. “It ensures their essential operations continue uninterrupted, proving to be a valuable and sustainable investment for the long term.”

New, local projects in cities and counties across the state are boosting Colorado’s solar and renewables growth, including:

• The City and County of Denver’s 2024 completion of an Agrivoltaics Community Solar project at Denver Botanic Gardens, integrating solar energy with organic farming.
• Installation of a community solar canopy over a parking lot at Abraham Lincoln High School, part of a larger initiative between Denver Public Schools and Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency.
• Denver Parks and Recreation’s new Northeast District Maintenance Headquarters, the City’s first 100% all-electric, geothermal-based building with a planned solar installation to achieve net-zero energy later this year.

“The City and County of Denver’s investment in local clean energy is helping facilitate the transition from fossil fuels, which contribute to air pollution and climate change, to energy sources that are not only affordable and reliable but also sustainable and clean. Denver’s community solar projects directly benefit members of our community through energy savings for Denver families and green workforce training opportunities for workers.”  – Elizabeth Babcock, Executive Director of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR).

Denver’s progress can be partly attributed to local investments.For example, Denver offers rebates for a range of clean energy equipment including heat pumps, mini-splits, electric vehicle chargers, rooftop solar, and battery storage. While Denver’s rebates for solar and battery storage are currently fully subscribed for 2025, Denver residents can explore affordable solar installation options through the new cohort of the Switch Together group-buying programs. 

In addition to local policies, federal clean energy tax credits In 2023, 3.4 million Americans used tax credits for clean energy or energy efficiency home improvements, saving more than $8 billion. To help America harness its vast renewable energy potential, the authors recommend that Congress keep in place federal clean energy tax credits. In early April, U.S. Senator Hickenlooper voted against a budget proposal, citing energy tax credits as one reason why.  

“When we reduce energy waste and replace polluting energy sources with renewables, we’re building a safer, healthier world for ourselves and future generations,” said Stiles. “Now is the time to let more Americans choose clean energy, not make it harder for them.”