Maximize Your ROI with the Denver Green Building Ordinance

Blog Updated: June 2026

The Denver Green Building Ordinance (GBO) is a city law that requires developers and property owners choose from a set of approved strategies to achieve more sustainable development. Namaste Solar can help you navigate the requirements and exemptions to meet the Denver Green Building requirements while maximizing your return on investment (ROI) with solar.

Key Takeaways for Maximizing Your ROI with the Denver Green Building Ordinance

Commercial solar: A commercial solar panel system is the one option provided by the Denver Green Roof Ordinance that reduces your electric bill, generates a significant tax benefit, increases your property’s value, and differentiates your business.
Min or max solar: The ordinance outlines minimum requirements for how much solar needs to be installed, but the smart move is to maximize your solar capacity given your (or your tenants’) electricity usage and your available roof space.
Fee in lieu option: Building owners have the option of paying a fee in lieu instead of adding solar or green roof features, which is $50 per square foot for the green roof space that would be required.

Is the Denver Green Building Ordinance Still in Effect?

Yes! The updated Denver Green Building Ordinance was passed by Denver City Council on November 2, 2018, and remains in effect. All new permits must be compliant with the ordinance and submit the declaration form. To learn more about the ordinance and its requirements, check out this website. The City of Denver also put together a helpful resource that outlines the requirements based on building or addition size, check it out here.

Can I Opt Out?

Commercial building owners have the option of paying a fee in lieu instead of adding solar or green roof features to their rooftop to meet the Denver Green Building requirements. The fee, a payment to the Green Building Fund, is $50 per square foot for the green roof space that would be required based on the ordinance. Consider that an average 200 kW solar panel system costs roughly $20-30 per square foot, and it becomes clear that you should look closely at your options. Paying the fee doesn’t make sense when you can install an asset that costs less per square foot and produces an attractive return on your investment.

Earn an Attractive ROI with Solar

A commercial solar panel system is the one option provided by the Denver Green Building Ordinance that reduces your electric bill, generates a significant tax benefit, increases your property’s value, and differentiates your business. Plus, with the Colorado C-PACE Program, you can finance 100% of the project while remaining cash flow neutral or positive from day one.

The ordinance outlines minimum requirements for how much solar needs to be installed, but the smart move is to maximize your solar capacity given your (or your tenants’) electricity usage and your available roof space. Your project will benefit from economies of scale, offset additional electricity usage, and therefore earn a higher ROI. Our team at Namaste Solar will design the right-sized system for your building to maximize your solar potential and ROI while also satisfying the requirements of the Denver Green Building Ordinance.

Be Solar Ready with Your New Construction

If you’re planning a new building or a change to your building that will require solar or a green roof based on the Denver Green Building Ordinance, talk to our team now to be solar ready.Namaste Solar can help you prepare your project for solar and provide a preliminary design and proposal for an optimal solar PV system. We have extensive experience working with contractors on conduit rough-in details, roof structural capacity, and interconnection strategies.

Use C-PACE Financing for All of It!

The Colorado C-PACE Program allows building owners to wrap the cost of a new roof into C-PACE financing. This means you can finance your new roof, your commercial solar panel system, and even LED or HVAC upgrades in one package. You can complete your project with no money out of pocket, be cash flow neutral or positive from day one, and help the environment at the same time.

What are My Next Steps?

Namaste Solar will help you maximize your ROI and make meeting Denver Green Building requirements hassle-free. Our team of professionals is experienced in commercial solar design as well as navigating C-PACE financing. Get started with a free consultation today.

To get started with your free commercial solar consultation, click the button below or give us a call at 303-536-8920.

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