Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) announced last week that it has been awarded a contract from Xcel Energy to manage subscriptions for two new community solar gardens in Douglas County, Colorado. The projects, totaling eight megawatts of solar capacity, are set to come online in the first part of 2026. This expansion will double EOC’s community solar capacity, providing renewable energy access and bill savings up to an additional 1,400 income-qualified households in across Colorado.
Through this partnership, EOC will manage all subscriber enrollment and administration, ensuring that 100% of the subscriptions are reserved for income-qualified Xcel Energy electric customers. The project is projected to generate approximately $350,000 in total bill savings during its first year of operation, equating to around 20% bill savings for the average customer, and could deliver more than $6 million collective in savings over the life of the project. These estimates highlight the growing impact of community solar as a key strategy in advancing energy equity statewide.
“Community solar not only helps reduce the electric bills for many hardworking Colorado families living on limited budgets, but it also makes clean energy accessible to a much greater portion of our state’s residents,” said Jennifer Gremmert, CEO of Energy Outreach Colorado. “Through this project, we are ensuring that all Coloradans, regardless of ability to pay or housing type, can participate in the state’s clean energy future if they choose to. Equity means creating pathways for everyone to share in the benefits of progress.”
“We are pleased to be working with Energy Outreach Colorado to bring more clean energy to energy to the grid, allowing our income qualified customers to participate in the clean energy transition,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado. “This collaboration demonstrates our dedication to creating innovative solutions that make renewable energy more accessible and impactful for all Coloradans.”
Community solar connects income-qualified households with free subscriptions to local community solar gardens, allowing them to receive monthly electricity bill credits based on how much energy their portion of the garden produces. This structure helps reduce household costs and provides access to renewable energy for Coloradans, such as renters, seniors, or those living in multifamily housing, who may not have the ability to install rooftop panels.
“Some days [during the pandemic] I was just trying to figure out how we were going to feed my kids, let alone worry about an electricity bill. You guys came at the right time. It saved my family. You can’t live without electricity. It gave us freedom to actually know that somebody’s there to lend a hand,” said Donna, a current EOC Community Solar participant.
EOC is currently enrolling eligible Xcel Energy customers for the Douglas County community solar gardens. To qualify, participants must be Xcel Energy electric customers in Colorado and meet income requirements. Interested households can learn more and apply at energyoutreach.org/community-solar.
About Energy Outreach Colorado
Energy Outreach Colorado is a statewide nonprofit that has been helping Coloradans afford their energy needs since 1989. EOC works with partner assistance organizations, vendors, and subcontractors across the state to provide energy bill payment assistance, emergency home furnace repair, weatherization services, energy efficiency grants for affordable housing and nonprofit facilities, energy education, and advocacy on behalf of low-income energy consumers.