Solar Panel Cost Guide in Monte Vista, CO (Mar 2023)
- Monte Vista Solar Installation Cost: $9,095
- 25-Year Savings: $23,304
- Payback Period: 7.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Monte Vista
We go over average solar pricing in Monte Vista.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Monte Vista generally cost about 2.69. Using this figure, a typical 4.8-kW system would cost about $9,095 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can go above or below the average in Monte Vista based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Monte Vista
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,799 |
| 3 years | $-5,207 |
| 5 years | $-2,615 |
| 7 years | $-23 |
| 9 years | $2,569 |
| 11 years | $5,161 |
| 13 years | $7,753 |
| 15 years | $10,345 |
| 17 years | $12,936 |
| 19 years | $15,528 |
| 21 years | $18,120 |
| 23 years | $20,712 |
| 25 years | $23,304 |
Top Solar Installers in Monte Vista
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Another benefit of going with a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Monte Vista
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Monte Vista
The cost of installing a solar system in Monte Vista can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,690. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Monte Vista provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. 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 the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Monte Vista is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. 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 come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is 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 | $2.80 | $11,750 | $28,474 | 7.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $38,266 | 7.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $48,210 | 7.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $58,303 | 6.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $68,548 | 6.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $78,943 | 6.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $89,489 | 6.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $100,185 | 6.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although 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 take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Monte Vista, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Monte Vista?
The average cost of solar panels in Monte Vista 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 stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Monte Vista is currently $157,500, which means you could be looking at a value of about $6,458 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Monte Vista is a rewarding investment.
How long do solar panels last in Monte Vista?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.