Centennial city reference
Solar in Centennial, checked against utility math.
A city-level guide for Arapahoe County homeowners comparing quotes, system size, incentive timing, and Xcel Energy billing assumptions.
- Reference ZIP
- 80112
- Utility
- Xcel Energy
- Focus
- Net metering + Solar*Rewards
Centennial is an Arapahoe County city of about 107,700 residents on the southeast side of the Denver metro, served by Xcel Energy. Its housing stock is predominantly owner-occupied at 82.3 percent, with a median home value of $586,500 and a median construction year of 1983. At the Front Range elevation here, a south-facing 7 kW system models to roughly 1,626 kWh per installed kW, or about 11,382 kWh per year, according to NREL/NLR PVWatts v8.
Local numbers
The Centennial baseline
A 7 kW south-facing system in Centennial produces about 11,400 kWh/year per NREL PVWatts. Pre-incentive install cost runs $18,900 to $21,000, with cash payback around 10 years before financing markup.
11,400 kWh/year
Annual production
PVWatts v8, 7 kW south-facing.
~$18,900 to $21,000
Net cash cost
After incentives, before financing.
10 years
Cash payback
No dealer-fee markup.
13 to 17 years
Financed payback
With typical dealer fees.
Diagnostic path
Check the Centennial quote from four angles.
Start with fit, then pressure-test price, incentives, and installer risk before a homeowner signs.
- 01 Is it worth it? → Diagnostic: how to know if your Centennial home is a good fit for solar, and what to verify before signing. Real production numbers, current rates, no inflated assumptions.
- 02 Typical cost and payback → Sized for a Centennial median home, with Xcel Energy-adjusted production from NREL PVWatts and current Standard retail-rate net metering + Solar*Rewards production incentive rates.
- 03 Incentives → Solar*Rewards values plus Xcel Energy programs. Federal credit context after the December 2025 expiration.
- 04 How to pick an installer → Educational buyer's guide for Centennial: red flags, what to verify, questions to ask before signing.
Utility context
The bill rules are local.
Most of Centennial is served by Xcel Energy. Net metering, rate trajectory, and program timing differ by utility; the Colorado state hub covers the cross-utility picture.