Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carbondale, CO (2024 Update)
- Carbondale Solar Installation Cost: $14,386
- 25-Year Savings: $20,327
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carbondale
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Carbondale.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Carbondale it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.2-kW system would cost about $14,386 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Carbondale homeowner can save around $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Carbondale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,418 |
| 3 years | $-11,481 |
| 5 years | $-9,545 |
| 7 years | $-7,609 |
| 9 years | $-5,673 |
| 11 years | $-3,737 |
| 13 years | $-1,800 |
| 15 years | $136 |
| 17 years | $2,072 |
| 19 years | $4,008 |
| 21 years | $5,944 |
| 23 years | $7,881 |
| 25 years | $9,817 |
Top Solar Installers in Carbondale
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
If you're searching for a solar company in Carbondale, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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
See all of the solar companies in Carbondale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carbondale
The cost of installing a solar system in Carbondale can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels 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 require 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 and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Carbondale to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Carbondale homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Carbondale is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $17,533 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $23,823 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $30,336 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $37,072 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $44,030 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $51,212 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $58,616 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $66,244 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
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 Carbondale, CO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carbondale?
The average cost of solar panels in Carbondale is about $19,900 for a 5-kW system and $39,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Carbondale?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Carbondale?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage 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 get between 20 and 35 panels to account for 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.