Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fountain, CO (2024 Update)
- Fountain Solar Installation Cost: $13,979
- 25-Year Savings: $22,891
- Payback Period: 10.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fountain
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Fountain.
In Fountain, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 5.0-kW system would cost about $13,979 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Fountain homeowners. 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 initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $24,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Fountain
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,594 |
| 3 years | $-9,823 |
| 5 years | $-7,052 |
| 7 years | $-4,281 |
| 9 years | $-1,510 |
| 11 years | $1,261 |
| 13 years | $4,032 |
| 15 years | $6,803 |
| 17 years | $9,574 |
| 19 years | $12,345 |
| 21 years | $15,116 |
| 23 years | $17,887 |
| 25 years | $20,658 |
Top Solar Installers in Fountain
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your family.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Fountain:
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
Outstanding Local Installer
Smart Wave Solar
- Installations include backup power guarantee
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers rewards for customer referrals
- Expensive
- No assistance with solar financing
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
See all of the solar companies in Fountain
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fountain
The cost of installing a solar system in Fountain can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer 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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,980 per kilowatt in Fountain.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Fountain average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Fountain, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s wise 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
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Fountain, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger 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 | $21,285 | 11.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $28,826 | 11.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $36,590 | 10.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $44,577 | 10.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $52,786 | 10.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $61,219 | 10.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $69,874 | 9.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $78,752 | 9.7 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 choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, be sure to read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
Smart Wave Solar
- Installations include backup power guarantee
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers rewards for customer referrals
- Expensive
- No assistance with solar financing
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch's Fountain, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fountain?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The initial 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 consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.