3 Best Solar Companies in Colorado (2024): Expert Reviewed
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Colorado has over 300 sunny days per year, making the Centennial State one with a high energy-savings potential if you switch to solar. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Colorado has 41 solar manufacturers to choose from, so you’re not alone if picking one feels overwhelming. We’ve researched the best solar brands available, comparing them on warranty coverage, customer reviews, performance, and more. Find a solar provider that’s right for you in our guide, and learn what statewide homeowners should know before switching to solar.
Key Takeaways
- The best solar company in Colorado is Freedom, for its full-service installation process. Our findings are based on a synthesis of expert interviews, user reviews, and a survey of 1,000 homeowners.
- Colorado offers one of the strongest net metering programs in the country, allowing residents to bank power credit indefinitely instead of limiting credit accruals to each calendar year.
- Colorado residents enjoy a sales tax exemption on residential solar purchases.
Colorado’s Top Solar Energy Companies
We tested 60 popular solar companies against our methodology. We scored each on its product selection, energy efficiency, warranty, price, customer satisfaction, Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, and more to see which has the most to offer solar buyers. The following companies scored highest among those available in Colorado.
The Best Solar Companies in Colorado for 2024
The following solar brands earned four or more stars when tested against our methodology:
Our Top Picks for Solar in Colorado
Blue Raven Solar
Most Reputable
Freedom Solar Power
Best Off-Grid Installer
Sunrun
Best Solar Panel Leasing
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Solar Incentives Are Available in Colorado?
Colorado solar incentives help offset solar system costs and provide additional long-term savings.
Federal Solar Tax Credit
Homeowners apply for the federal solar tax credit, which provides a tax credit equal to 30% of your solar panel installation cost. You also qualify for discounts on stand-alone energy storage. For example, you could apply the credit to lower your Tesla Powerwall battery cost. You must own your solar panel system to qualify for this tax incentive.
State Tax Exemptions
The Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment protects customers from paying state sales tax on their solar purchases. This exemption only applies to state sales and use taxes; incorporated towns, cities, and counties can still charge city-specific sales taxes for these purchases. Colorado homeowners can also use the Property Tax Exemption for Residential Renewable Energy Equipment. Under this law, Colorado solar customers are 100% exempt from paying property taxes for the solar panels’ added home value.
Utility Company Rebates
Energy Smart Colorado, a federally funded program that partners with 10 communities in 25 counties, offers rebates for solar installations. Through these partnerships, solar customers can earn between $400 and $2,500 for residential solar installations. Rebates vary between each county, so check your local program’s details.
Net Metering
Net metering allows customers to receive credits in exchange for excess energy generated by their solar system. Colorado has one of the most favorable net-metering programs for homeowners. It includes the following provisions:
- Every investor-owned utility (IOU) company must provide a net metering program and offer rebates.
- The net metering cap is 200%, allowing customers to receive more credits for their excess energy. State programs typically have a much lower cap.
- Excess energy is credited indefinitely, compared to other states that limit credits to a calendar year.
Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy are two of the largest IOUs in Colorado. Other smaller companies offer net-metering programs as well. The benefits of these programs vary, so check with your utility provider for details.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
Look for these key benefits, features, and services when shopping for a solar panel system to get the best return on investment (ROI).
Solar Services
Solar companies use in-house or third-party contractors for the installation process. In-house teams can work directly for the installer, offering better installation quality and communication. Third-party contractors have less quality control, with varying results in different locations. In addition, communication must pass through another point of contact outside the solar provider, making the process more complicated. We recommend using solar companies with in-house teams for the best results.
Some installers may have additional services that support your solar power system. These services include system monitoring and energy-tracking apps. Companies may also offer home upgrades and repair services.
Here’s a list of solar and home services commonly offered by solar companies:
- Dedicated mobile app or web portal
- Electrical services
- Energy efficiency audits
- Home energy monitoring services
- Roofing repairs and services
- Smart-home device upgrades and installation
- Solar system monitoring
Warranties
Since solar panels last around 25 years, look for companies offering warranty coverage for the same time frame. Our favorite cheap solar panels have shorter warranty coverage than high-quality panel options in exchange for lower initial costs. Your solar company may offer additional coverage to protect panel performance or installation issues. Below is an overview of typical warranty options:
- Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: This plan offers protection against manufacturing defects.
- Workmanship (or labor) warranty: The company covers any issues originating from a poor installation.
- Power production guarantee: Your solar provider outlines your panels’ expected performance level throughout their warranty and offers repair or replacement coverage if they fall below these outlined levels.
Quick Tip
- Remember that warranty availability, length, and coverage options vary between providers. We recommend reviewing each company’s warranty plans to find the best coverage.
Payment Options
Solar installers typically offer two or more solar financing options to better accommodate customer budgets. Some options, such as up-front payments and solar loans, make you the legal system owners, a requirement for most solar incentives. We’ve outlined the most common solar financing options below:
- Up-front (or cash) payments: Homeowners pay for the entire solar system up-front.
- Solar loans: This option includes an initial down payment and smaller monthly payments with interest for a certain time frame.
- Solar leases: You pay little to no money down and make monthly payments to rent the system from the installer.
- Power purchase agreements (PPAs): Homeowners make monthly payments for their solar energy use only.
Your solar provider retains system ownership with solar leases and PPAs, disqualifying you from solar incentives. These payment options work best for homeowners uninterested in owning their solar equipment. For the best ROI and maximum savings, we recommend choosing an up-front payment or solar loan.
Customer Support
After analyzing solar company reviews, we learned that customers mentioned excellent customer service as a standout feature for a solar company. Your selected company should provide customer support through various contact options. Some typical contact methods include the following options.
- Phone
- Online chat
- Online forms
- Text messaging
- In-app messaging
- Check online customer reviews for any callouts about a company’s poor customer service, including unreturned calls or delayed responses.
What Is the Best Way To Get a Solar Quote in Colorado?
We recommend getting a free quote from multiple companies to find the right system at the best price. After speaking with multiple professional solar installers and conducting secret shopping, we’ve learned that the typical solar quote process follows these general steps after you request a quote:
- Schedule your solar consultations: You’ll schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with each company. Block off at least two hours for each appointment.
- Find your latest energy bill: Solar companies build their solar energy solutions to match customers’ energy usage. Have your latest bill on hand for each consultation.
- Analyze your roof design: Each installer will conduct an in-person or virtual roof analysis. They will determine your roof’s structural integrity and available space. Depending on your solar panel type, you may need ample space for your solar array.
- Build your solar project: Based on their previous reviews, each solar provider will create your system. You can choose your solar panel type, inverter brand, system components, and upgrades, such as solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
- Review the finalized quote: You’ll receive finalized quotes for your solar energy solution, with details on equipment fees, installation costs, labor charges, and warranty coverage. Your quote will include any system upgrades and add-ons. Your quotes will also detail your financing options and estimated payback period. Compare these quotes to find the best deal.
Our Conclusion
Our top solar choice for Colorado homeowners is Palmetto because of its customer support options and 25-year comprehensive warranty package.
Don’t forget to shop around before committing to a solar panel company. Compare prices, customer reviews, and the service you experience during the quote process before agreeing to purchase from a brand.
Other Colorado Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in CO
Is it worth getting solar in Colorado?
For many homeowners, it’s worth getting solar in Colorado due to how much sunshine the state receives. The state also provides tax exemption policies, utility company rebates, and a favorable net-metering program.
What is the average cost for a solar system in Colorado?
According to EnergySage, the average cost for a solar system in Colorado is $31,160 for a 10-kilowatt system. This is before applying the federal tax credit, which would reduce this cost to $21,812.
Does Colorado have a solar tax credit?
Colorado doesn’t have a state solar tax credit, but it does have state tax exemptions and net-metering programs that help Colorado residents reduce how much they spend.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at [email protected].
