15 Best Solar Companies in Derby, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Derby based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Derby, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Derby homeowner saves $1,643/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Derby
Hoping to go solar but still deciding on which solar company would be best for your needs? Although it can be hard to find a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly offset your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $20,000 of savings over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change considerably according to your home’s layout and your household energy needs.We suggest shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get started with free quotes from pre-screened solar companies in Derby, click the link below.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
Smart Wave Solar
- Installations include backup power guarantee
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers rewards for customer referrals
- Expensive
- No assistance with solar financing
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Derby
Smart Wave Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Vanguard Solar Services
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Solar Wave
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
MH Electrical and Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Apollo Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
Elevated Independent Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
Apex Solar Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Cascade Solar & Electric
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Photon Brothers
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
Sopris Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Community Solar Projects
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
ARE Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
ION Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
SunTalk Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
BriteStreet
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Freedom Solar Power - Denver Solar Panel Installers
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Community Solar Projects
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Derby
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Derby 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 Derby
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 Derby
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to install your panels.Some key things that influence how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- The model of solar panels you’re thinking of getting: More efficient panels have higher prices, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Derby uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your power bills: This will dictate your savings. In Derby, the average resident can save about $970 a year on their electricity bills.
There are many good benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your finances. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Derby
Although installing solar panels is typically a big investment, it can save you much money over several years due to lower power bills and government incentives.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you some money back after installing a qualifying system. For detailed information about local incentives, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Derby
If you’re thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? In a city like Derby where energy use is rather high, installing solar panels is a good idea for households who care about the planet.In Derby, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar energy is renewable and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
Smart Wave Solar
- Installations include backup power guarantee
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers rewards for customer referrals
- Expensive
- No assistance with solar financing
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch's Derby, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installer in Derby?
The highest-rated local solar company in Derby is Smart Wave Solar, with a rating of 4.80 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
When should I put up solar panels?
Although summer is the most common time people install solar panels, the optimal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.