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

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

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.The average solar panel system size in Fountain is around 5.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,979 for a solar installation, or $19,990 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Fountain homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $24,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fountain find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

To calculate your potential ROI 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

When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also provide access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your family.

Working with a professional solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Fountain

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fountain

Although the average cost of a solar system in Fountain is $13,979, your final cost may differ. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important 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 energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,980 per kilowatt in Fountain.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Fountain average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid option because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Fountain homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout Fountain, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.

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 solar company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you opt for.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Fountain, CO Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Fountain?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How will solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Fountain is currently $396,120, which means you could be looking at a value of about $16,241 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Fountain is a worthwhile investment.

How long do solar panels last in Fountain?

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 the amount of 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 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.

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