5 Best Solar Companies in Durango, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Durango based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Durango, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Durango homeowner saves $2,286/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Durango
If you’re a homeowner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Durango, it can be difficult to narrow down which company to go with. But, it's worth it since switching to solar power is typically a good choice. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but the switch will save you money on your utility bills over time. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $29,000 over 20 years.
Here, we’ll narrow down some of the top solar companies in Durango to make your choice much easier.To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in Durango, you can click "get quote" 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 Durango
Solar Works!
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
Shaw Solar of Durango
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Living Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Solar Today and Tomorrow
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
Alternative Power Enterprises, Inc
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Durango
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Durango 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 Durango
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 Durango
The cost of installing a solar panel system has dropped greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.Some important factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Due to Durango’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
- The make and model of solar panels you want to get: Higher-efficiency panels have higher prices, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your utility bills, which can give you an average of $29,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Your energy bills: This will affect how much you can save. In Durango, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your bank account. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Durango
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you much money over several years because of smaller energy bills and government incentives.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after installing a solar panel system. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Durango
If you’re thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to lower your reliance on nonrenewable energy.But you may be curious – how much exactly can you help the planet by making the switch to solar? Regardless of your location, you can help protect the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have an even greater impact.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 0 pounds each year. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Durango, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel company in Durango?
In Durango, Solar Works! is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a considerable upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
When should I put up solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.