8 Best Solar Companies in Steamboat Springs, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Steamboat Springs based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Steamboat Springs, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Steamboat Springs homeowner saves $1,706/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Steamboat Springs
When choosing between the best solar panel companies, Steamboat Springs homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar energy that much easier. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $20,000 on your power bills.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of the top Steamboat Springs solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s sustainable energy needs.Keep reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company in your area right away 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
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 Steamboat Springs
Brightside Solar
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Active Energies Solar, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Sunsense Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Community Solar Projects
Reconnect Clean Energy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Green Electrical Solutions LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Steamboat Springs
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs
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 Steamboat Springs
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to go with comes down to costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on power bills than a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- How much energy you use: If your home uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $20,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years not including incentives.
As a result of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Steamboat Springs
Since solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are some government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.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 your project costs on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Steamboat Springs
There are a few key reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.You may be curious – how much does going solar help the planet anyway? In Steamboat Springs, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big impact on the environment since solar power is a renewable source of energy.After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be cut by about 100 pounds every year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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 Steamboat Springs, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Steamboat Springs, Brightside Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels really environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.1 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.