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Solar site surveys · Denver, CORoof, attic and service panel captured in one visit, with the plan set built for the Denver AHJ you submit into and the utility that serves the address.
The City and County of Denver enforces the 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes (based on the 2024 I-Codes) and the 2026 NEC, and it issues eligible rooftop PV permits as SolarAPP+ quick permits. Xcel Energy handles interconnection inside the city, while co-ops serve some suburbs. Survey for a 43 psf ground snow load, wind speeds that rise toward the western city limits, and frequent hail.
Colorado state rules apply here, plus whatever the local AHJ amends.
Most of Colorado's costliest hailstorms have hit the Denver metro, including the May 8, 2017 storm, the state's most expensive insured catastrophe at $2.3 billion. Photograph existing roof and module damage before any work.11
Denver's residential code sets a 43 psf ground snow load (site-specific ASCE values are allowed) and basic wind speeds of 115, 125 or 140 mph for ordinary buildings, rising from east of Federal Boulevard to the Sheridan-to-Kipling band.9
Denver's PV permit policy has required string voltage to be calculated with the NEC correction factor for a -21 to -25 C low and roof wiring to be derated for 61-65 C ambient, so record module and conductor details on site.12
The main AHJs, and how the rest of the metro splits up.
Licensed electricians can get a quick permit through SolarAPP+ and e-permits for single-family homes and duplexes with service of 400 A or less and systems under 10 kW DC; storage and panel upgrades tied to the PV job are allowed, but solar shingles are not. Other projects go through standard review, and systems of 10 kW or more need stamped electrical plans.10
Official page ↗Enforces the 2025 Denver Fire Code, which amends the 2024 IFC and lists a construction permit for installing or modifying PV systems; it leaves the IFC's PV roof-access section unamended.8
Official page ↗Enforces the 2024 I-Codes since January 1, 2026 and the 2026 NEC since August 1, 2026, and uses SolarAPP+ for full plan review of eligible residential systems.3,13
Official page ↗Each city around Denver adopts its own code editions and issues its own permits (Wheat Ridge, for example, moved to the 2024 I-Codes on January 1, 2026), counties cover unincorporated land, and the state issues electrical permits where no qualifying local program exists.3,5,14
Xcel Energy's Public Service Company of Colorado grew out of Denver's original power company and handles solar interconnection in the city. United Power's territory surrounds Denver on three sides and CORE serves other Front Range communities, so check the bill for suburban addresses.20,21,22,23
Installers apply through Xcel's online interconnection portal; net-metered systems may generate up to 200% of the prior 12 months' use, equipment must be UL 1741 SB listed, and Xcel advises against building before engineering approval.24,25
Interconnection page ↗Member-owned co-op whose roughly 900-square-mile territory surrounds Denver on three sides; members need an approved interconnection application, an external AC disconnect and a production meter housing, with systems up to 25 kW and 200% of annual use.26,22
Interconnection page ↗Front Range co-op formerly named Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA); residential net metering covers systems of 10 kW AC or less producing no more than 200% of 12-month usage.27,23,28
Interconnection page ↗The same capture standard as every other Colorado job, so the plan set is built on what the technician verified on site.
Often, yes. Licensed electricians can use SolarAPP+ to get an electrical quick permit for single-family homes and duplexes with service of 400 A or less and systems under 10 kW DC; other projects go through plan review.10
Two 36-inch pathways on separate roof slopes, with one on the street or driveway side, plus an 18-inch ridge setback that grows to 36 inches when panels cover more than a third of the roof. Panels cannot sit below an emergency escape opening.10
The 2025 Denver Residential Code lists a 43 psf ground snow load and wind speeds of 115 to 140 mph depending on how far west the site is; site-specific ASCE snow values are also allowed.9
Stamped electrical plans are required for systems of 10 kW or more. Denver's PV policy also calls for Colorado-registered engineering when panels are not flush-mounted, and it waives the structural engineer's letter when approved SolarAPP+ documents are submitted.10,12
State-level detail is on the Colorado page; every location is on the solar site survey hub.
Roof, attic and service panel in one visit
Explore →Roof, structure and switchgear
Explore →Terrain, build and operations
Explore →Roof and electrical, one visit
Explore →Stamped sets, six days from survey
Explore →SA, TOF and TSRF per plane
Explore →Every local fact on this page links to where it came from. Codes, programs and tariffs change: confirm the current requirement with the AHJ and the utility before you design.
Bring your monthly job count and the AHJs you submit into, and we will tell you straight whether we fit.
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