13 Best Solar Companies in Fort Collins, CO (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Fort Collins based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Fort Collins, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Fort Collins homeowner saves $1,491/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Fort Collins
If you're a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Fort Collins, it can be hard to narrow down which company to choose. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a good idea. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills over time. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $18,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we'll tell you about the top Fort Collins solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home's solar energy needs. To help you understand if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
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
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
Namaste Solar
- Recognized Excellence
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Professional reinstallation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
Columbine Roofing & Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
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
REenergizeCO
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
The Atmosphere Conservancy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Solas Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Fort Collins
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all. There are several factors you should take into consideration when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Due to Fort Collins' high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- How much power your household needs: If your family needs to use a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from going solar.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 30% of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
There are many good benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your finances. Additionally, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Use the calculator below to find out how much switching to solar could impact the Earth and your wallet. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Fort Collins, CO.
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Solar Incentives in Fort Collins
Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money in the long term because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. For more information about local incentives, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Fort Collins
Installing solar panels can have a beneficial impact on the environment. Something many people might be asking themselves is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? In a city like Fort Collins where energy use is rather high, going solar is a fantastic idea for homeowners who want to do their part for the environment. In Fort Collins, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing to solar.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Fort Collins, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Fort Collins?
The top local solar company in Fort Collins is Freedom Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are some of the major pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it gives you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but truthfully, 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.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Usually, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy into usable electricity.
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.