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 make the best choice for your home’s renewable energy needs.Want to know how much it’d cost to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Steamboat Springs solar installer.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
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
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Sunsense Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Community Solar Projects
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Reconnect Clean Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Green Electrical Solutions LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Holy Cross Energy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Conundrum Technologies
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Innovative Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
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
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Your city: This influences the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be too steep of an option for families that don’t use a good amount of energy each month.
- 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 save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $20,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy instead of paying for it from a utility company and make use of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Steamboat Springs
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over the lifespan of your solar panels due to smaller energy bills and government incentives.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 how much your solar project cost 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 find out about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Steamboat Springs
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Steamboat Springs, though. Switching to solar power is a sustainable choice for the environment, because the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.When you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 100 pounds a year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 installation company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Steamboat Springs is Brightside Solar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.1 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How long do solar panels last?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.