Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dakota Ridge, CO (2024 Update)
- Dakota Ridge Solar Installation Cost: $14,622
- 25-Year Savings: $17,159
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dakota Ridge
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Dakota Ridge.
In Dakota Ridge, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Dakota Ridge is around 5.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,622 for a solar installation, or $20,909 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average Dakota Ridge homeowners see about $20,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Dakota Ridge for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Dakota Ridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,654 |
| 3 years | $-11,718 |
| 5 years | $-9,781 |
| 7 years | $-7,845 |
| 9 years | $-5,909 |
| 11 years | $-3,973 |
| 13 years | $-2,037 |
| 15 years | $-100 |
| 17 years | $1,836 |
| 19 years | $3,772 |
| 21 years | $5,708 |
| 23 years | $7,645 |
| 25 years | $9,581 |
Top Solar Installers in Dakota Ridge
Installing solar panels on your own can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. 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
See all of the solar companies in Dakota Ridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dakota Ridge
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Dakota Ridge: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about 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’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you choose will impact your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $13,530 | 14.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $18,485 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $23,664 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $29,065 | 13.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $34,690 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $40,537 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $46,607 | 12.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $52,900 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing 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
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 Dakota Ridge, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dakota Ridge?
The average cost of solar panels in Dakota Ridge 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 certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
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.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 after having 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.