Iluminar Community Solar

Overview

Iluminar is the City of Longmont’s first community solar program, allowing participating homes to enjoy the advantages of local renewable power without having to install rooftop solar panels. This is an option that has been growing in popularity across the U.S. – as of 2025, 44 states had community solar projects, including about 180 projects in Colorado alone.
 

About Iluminar

What does “Iluminar” mean? The Spanish word “iluminar” means “to illuminate” in English, as in making something brighter … quite appropriate for a solar project! As a word that’s meaningful in two languages, it also fits Longmont’s diverse community.

What is community solar? A community solar program lets participants subscribe to a share of the electricity generated by a solar power site. This means that some or all of the power they use each month will come from the program, offsetting their electric usage with clean, renewable energy.

Where does Iluminar’s solar energy come from? Two roof-mounted solar systems. The first, Martin St. Solar, uses a 200-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of Longmont’s Waste Services building at 110 S. Martin St. The other, Ascent at Hover Crossing, is a 211-kilowatt system on the roof of Ascent at Hover Crossing at 2225 18th Ave., a Longmont Housing Authority affordable housing development.  

I’m interested in participating – will there be options to do so in the future? While both programs are fully subscribed, the City is considering additional Iluminar sites and will announce them as they become available.

Martin St. Solar

How many LPC customers are part of Martin St. Solar? About 30 households. Half of them pay a premium each month to be part of the program. The other half are customers who also qualify for Longmont CAReS, the City’s bill assistance program to help households in need.

What benefits do the Longmont CAReS customers get from Iluminar? In addition to taking part in local renewable energy, the Longmont CAReS participants get a 20% discount on their electric bill. This is paid for by the premium from the other Martin St. Iluminar participants.

How much is the premium? Premium-paying customers add 20% to their electric bill to take part in the program. By taking part, the customers have the opportunity to help a neighbor and support renewable energy, while still paying less than it would have cost to have solar panels installed at their home.

Ascent at Hover Crossing

How many LPC customers are part of Ascent at Hover Crossing? Each of the 75 multi-family affordable housing units benefits from solar energy generated on-site through a discount on their monthly electric bill. No sign up is required and all tenants are enrolled upon move-in.T he property is owned by the Longmont Housing Authority in partnership with its development partner, while the solar system is owned and operated by LPC. 

What benefits do the residents get from Iluminar? In addition to taking part in local renewable energy, Ascent at Hover Crossing tenants receives a discounted electric bill based on their dedicated portion of the solar generation. Discounts vary based on tenant energy usage, weather patterns, and other factors. On an ideal summer day, an average electric user can expect as much as a 50% discount on their electric bill.   

What other energy-related benefits do Ascent’s residents receive? This affordable housing development offers energy efficient and all-electric one, two, three and four-bedroom units.