Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brighton, CO (2023 Update)
- Brighton Solar Installation Cost: $9,792
- 25-Year Savings: $17,489
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brighton
See how much it might cost to go solar in Brighton.
The average cost of a solar system in Brighton is 2.69 per watt. Since a 5.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Brighton, the average price of going solar will be about $9,792 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Brighton depending on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Brighton homeowner can save around $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Brighton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,700 |
| 3 years | $-6,518 |
| 5 years | $-4,335 |
| 7 years | $-2,153 |
| 9 years | $30 |
| 11 years | $2,212 |
| 13 years | $4,395 |
| 15 years | $6,577 |
| 17 years | $8,759 |
| 19 years | $10,942 |
| 21 years | $13,124 |
| 23 years | $15,307 |
| 25 years | $17,489 |
Top Solar Installers in Brighton
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and knowledge. Because of that, most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're unsure what kind of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
See all of the solar companies in Brighton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brighton
The cost of installing a solar system in Brighton can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Brighton, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,690 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Brighton, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Brighton homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar system can impact how much it costs. Brighton's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up 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 | $2.80 | $11,750 | $19,725 | 9.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $26,602 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $33,629 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $40,806 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $48,134 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $55,613 | 8.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $63,243 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $71,023 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Brighton, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Brighton, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brighton?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,450 for a 5-kW system and $26,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Brighton?
You can't get solar panels for free in Brighton. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.