15 Best Solar Companies in Boulder, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Boulder based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Boulder, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Boulder homeowner saves $1,584/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Boulder
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in Boulder? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since there are a lot of perks after adopting solar power. Solar power isn't just good for the planet — your wallet will be better off too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Boulder.We advise shopping around to get multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-pressure quotes from pre-screened solar installers in Boulder, click the link below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Boulder
Smart Wave Solar
Prompt Service Delivery- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
ION Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Independent Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Progreen Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Photon Brothers
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
Columbine Roofing & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Aqua Care Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Klick Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Green Collar Crew
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Custom Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
The Solar Revolution
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
Flatiron Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Lumos Solar
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
Liv Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Vanguard Solar Services
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Boulder
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Boulder based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Boulder
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Colorado solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Boulder
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs above all.There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to figure out costs and your potential savings, including:
- Your city: This influences the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- The model of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $19,000 on your utility bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too pricey an investment for households that don’t use a good amount of energy per month.
Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the size of your house and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Boulder
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make going solar more affordable and accessible.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Boulder
Making the switch to solar power is a compelling way to do what you can for a greener future.But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? The more energy your household uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar as you won’t have to use as much nonrenewable energy.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good substitute for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Boulder, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Boulder is Smart Wave Solar, with a rating of 4.80 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them to meet your home's energy needs.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.