Solar Panel Cost Guide in Arvada, CO (2024 Update)
- Arvada Solar Installation Cost: $14,495
- 25-Year Savings: $15,958
- Payback Period: 14.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Arvada
We go over average solar pricing in Arvada.
In Arvada, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Arvada is around 5.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,495 for a solar installation, or $20,728 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Arvada homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Arvada that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Arvada
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,527 |
| 3 years | $-11,591 |
| 5 years | $-9,655 |
| 7 years | $-7,719 |
| 9 years | $-5,782 |
| 11 years | $-3,846 |
| 13 years | $-1,910 |
| 15 years | $26 |
| 17 years | $1,963 |
| 19 years | $3,899 |
| 21 years | $5,835 |
| 23 years | $7,771 |
| 25 years | $9,707 |
Top Solar Installers in Arvada
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra time and knowledge. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another advantage of working with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
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
See all of the solar companies in Arvada
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Arvada
The cost of installing a solar system in Arvada can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,980.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Arvada, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.14 | $17,385 | $12,316 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $16,867 | 14.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $21,640 | 14.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $26,637 | 13.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $31,857 | 13.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $37,299 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $42,965 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $48,853 | 12.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Arvada, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Arvada?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,900 for a 5-kW system and $39,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Arvada?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Arvada?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.