12 Best Solar Companies in Derby, CO (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 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
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Derby
Looking for the top solar companies in Derby? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. What's especially pushing a lot of readers toward installing solar panels is their high energy bills that continue to increase each year.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially according to your home's setup and your overall energy needs. To help you find out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Derby by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Derby
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Freedom Solar Power
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
ARE Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Pro Bid Energy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Apollo Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Integrity Solar Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Elevated Independent Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
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
While solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on power bills over time, it's necessary to take into consideration the startup costs. Some important things that affect the cost and possible savings include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have various incentives that you can use. Plus, you can save about $20,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- How much energy your home consumes: Homes that use plenty of energy each month may need more solar panels and, consequently, be more costly, but will also benefit more over time.
- The type of solar panels you want to get: More efficient panels cost more, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you'd like to reduce your electricity costs, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Derby homeowners.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the environment by installing a solar panel system, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Derby, CO.
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Solar Incentives in Derby
Since solar power is better for the environment than fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. When you install a solar panel system on your house, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you lower your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Derby.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Derby
One of the reasons so many homeowners consider installing solar panels is to help reduce their environmental impact. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Derby, though. As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help lower that statistic in a city like Derby that is responsible for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since solar power is plentiful and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Derby, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installer in Derby?
In Derby, Freedom Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, totally cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.2 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.