Solar Panel Cost Guide in Castle Rock, CO (2024 Update)
- Castle Rock Solar Installation Cost: $14,333
- 25-Year Savings: $18,991
- Payback Period: 12.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Castle Rock
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Castle Rock.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Castle Rock it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.1-kW system would cost about $14,333 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Castle Rock 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, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in Castle Rock for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Castle Rock
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,284 |
| 3 years | $-11,186 |
| 5 years | $-9,088 |
| 7 years | $-6,990 |
| 9 years | $-4,892 |
| 11 years | $-2,795 |
| 13 years | $-697 |
| 15 years | $1,401 |
| 17 years | $3,499 |
| 19 years | $5,597 |
| 21 years | $7,695 |
| 23 years | $9,792 |
| 25 years | $11,890 |
Top Solar Installers in Castle Rock
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Solar companies offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Castle Rock:
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 Castle Rock
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Castle Rock
The cost of installing a solar system in Castle Rock can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest 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
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,980 per kilowatt in Castle Rock.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for 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 in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Castle Rock average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid option because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to include 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 the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Castle Rock, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically 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 | $16,062 | 13.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $21,862 | 12.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $27,885 | 12.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $34,130 | 12.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $40,598 | 12.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $47,290 | 11.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $54,204 | 11.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $61,341 | 11.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will influence 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 consider, such as:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Castle Rock, CO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Castle Rock?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Castle Rock?
Solar panels aren’t free in Castle Rock, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Castle Rock?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. 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.
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.