Colorado lawmakers introduce bill to increase Colorado’s renewable energy standards.

Solar industry business owners in Colorado are lobbying for legislation to increase the incentives for installation of solar panels on residential and business roofs.  According to Environment Colorado, legislation to expand and strengthen Colorado’s renewable Energy Standard (RES) passed in the House on a party line vote on February 11, 2010.  The bill, HB-1001, increases Colorado’s renewable energy standard from 20% to 30%.

According to Rep Joe Miklosi’s, D-Denver, website, the bill would also make it easier for homeowners to arrange financing for upfront costs of solar panels as well as set standards for solar photovoltaic system installations. Rep Joe Miklosi’s website also states, “HB-1001 would also help to recharge the economy. A strong RES is the signal that Colorado is open for business.  Already over 230 solar companies have set up shop: Colorado is also attracting multi-national companies such as Vestas, a global leader in wind energy, which brought $65 million into the local economy and created 650 new jobs.”

HB-1001 has one more vote on the floor of the House before it moves on to the Senate.