Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carbondale, CO (2023 Update)
- Carbondale Solar Installation Cost: $9,723
- 25-Year Savings: $20,327
- Payback Period: 8.1 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carbondale
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Carbondale.
In Carbondale, solar panels cost about 2.69 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Carbondale, most homeowners require a 5.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $9,716, or $13,894 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Carbondale can save about $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Carbondale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,623 |
| 3 years | $-9,423 |
| 5 years | $-9,222 |
| 7 years | $-9,022 |
| 9 years | $-8,822 |
| 11 years | $-8,621 |
| 13 years | $-8,421 |
| 15 years | $-8,221 |
| 17 years | $-8,020 |
| 19 years | $-7,820 |
| 21 years | $-7,619 |
| 23 years | $-7,419 |
| 25 years | $-7,219 |
Top Solar Installers in Carbondale
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Carbondale:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, 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 a solar panel system in Carbondale, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,690 for each additional kilowatt you need. The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Carbondale average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Carbondale, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Carbondale is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $23,168 | 8.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $31,191 | 8.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $39,366 | 8.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $47,691 | 7.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $56,167 | 7.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $64,793 | 7.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $73,570 | 7.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $82,498 | 7.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it's important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: When reading through 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 part breaking or the company going out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Carbondale, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Carbondale?
The average cost of solar panels in Carbondale is about $13,450 for a 5-kW system and $26,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the kind 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 option if you can't pay upfront or get 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.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Carbondale?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.