The Town and its planning and building departments are committed to exceptional customer service. To promote the continued advancement of solar in our community, we are committed to the following:
- Providing clear guidelines about the solar permitting and inspection process in our solar checklist within the building division plan submittal and inspection information, both of which can be found on our building department's webpage
- Using a solar specific permit application
- Processing small rooftop solar PV permits with complete and accurate applications in three business days
- Offering inspection appointment times for solar projects
The Town of Mountain Village is the sole Authority Having Jurisdiction within Mountain Village. The Town uses the 2018 International Codes with the exception of the 2020 National Electrical Code and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, International Plumbing Code and International Fuel Gas Code. Please refer to the Town’s building division webpage for additional information regarding applicable codes.
For information on zoning, please refer to the Town’s Municipal Code sections 17.5.6 and 17.3.3.
Mountain Village is committed to ensuring equitable access to solar for our community. The Town offers rebates for residential homes to install solar arrays through the Solar Energy Incentive Program.
San Miguel Power Association (SMPA), a non-profit electric distribution cooperative, is the sole electricity provider to the Telluride Region. In addition to Mountain Village’s Solar Energy Incentive Program, SMPA offers net metering as well as rebates for commercial and residential renewable energy systems.
Local Solar Projects
Municipal Solar
Starting in 2013, the Town installed solar arrays at three gondola stations to provide on-site solar supply for its free public transit gondola system. The Town also has solar panels on its municipal water tanks and maintenance shop. In 2024, solar was installed on two community housing buildings within the Town’s affordable and low-income workforce housing complex.
In 2023, 32 percent of the green power supply purchases made by the Town of Mountain Village came from solar.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
In 2011, 480 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed at the regional wastewater treatment plan to help generate the electricity needed for its operation. This local solar energy system produces 100 kilowatt hours, or about 160,000 kilowatt hours per year, of electricity for the facility that serves the Town of Mountain Village, the Town of Telluride and San Miguel County. The 235-watt solar PV panels supply approximately 10 percent of the water treatment facility’s energy.
