Garfield County, CO
This webpage has been created to help improve local solar market conditions and share the latest industry information to residents and stakeholders in Garfield County. Below you will find key solar market indicators and essential resources for residents, businesses, solar industry and government officials. There is also a direct link to the County's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to ‘go solar’.
Garfield County is located in the northwestern region of Colorado. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource.
Community Profile
Residential Solar Potential
Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.Roadmap
The Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the County to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
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3 of 4 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
General permit process info, fees, and inspection info is online, though no solar specific info
Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process flow, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information. If nothing required, simply note that solar only requires an electrical permit through DORA and refer customers to the appropriate DORA webpage. Could also note the new land use table classifications for solar so that customer is aware of any planning review required.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)
No fee is currently assessed
The County does not assess a permit fee for residential projects.
County currently at best practice
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
No fee is currently assessed
The County does not assess a permit fee for commercial projects.
Move to flat fee less than $1000 or base fee on cost recovery.
[P14] Understand New Solar-Specific Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes(82)
Currently on 2009 ICC codes
The County has adopted the 2009 Building Code.
County currently at best practice
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2 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
No solar specific ordinaces for construction
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.
[Z3] Require Solar on New Construction(4)
No solar specific mandates for new construction
Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock.
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(66)
Some renewable energy references in Comp Plan 2030, nothing solar specific
Include solar development goals in long term planning documents.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
Solar-friendly zoning regs. Solar use type in land use table, solar specific design standards.
The County has solar-friendly zoning regulations.
Develop solar specific design review standards that are used when performing administrative/limited/major reviews of solar generating systems. This may consist of some updates to Section 7-1302 of the land use code to reflect standards more specific to solar.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
No ordinances creating a barrier to solar
The County does not have ordinances that create a barrier to solar.
Modify any local ordinances which create a barrier to solar deployment.
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0 of 2 Goals Not Started |
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[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Some awareness of finance options now
Explore solar financing resources for your region and provide resources to increase visibility and understanding by residents.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Minimal awareness of other evaluation tools
Consolidate and provide online tools for potential solar system buyers to evaluate and value solar projects for their homes and businesses.
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0 of 5 Goals Not Started |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No similar aggregations known to exist locally
Support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers. This group would evaluate options and determine the most viable approach for aggregating residential solar based on best practices to date.
[M3] Explore Implementation of Collaborative Procurement Program for Municipal Facilities and Schools(38)
No similar aggregations known to exist locally. County has solar array at riding arena.
Consider collaborating with agencies across the region to aggregate government facilities, including municipal buildings and schools, for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement to demonstrate leadership and reduce energy costs while strengthening the economy and environment. This effort would build on the evaluation of public facilities conducted by CLEER.
[M6a] Survey Brownfield Sites for Solar Development Opportunities(12)
No program in development currently
Establish a working group to identify brownfield sites with solar potential across the County, following the best practices and case studies provided.
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
No event or resources currently offered
Consolidate regional and statewide standards and best practices, provide online as a resource to the installer community, and organize an outreach/training event to generate awareness and understanding.
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
No event or resources currently offered
Consolidate solar resources and best practices, provide online as a resource to the consumer market (residential and commercial), and organize an outreach/training event to generate awareness and understanding across the community.
For detailed permitting info, visit this jurisdiction's record at SolarPermit.org here: http://solarpermit.org/jurisdiction/garfield-county-co/