Solar Panel Cost Guide in Salida, CO (2023 Update)
- Salida Solar Installation Cost: $9,589
- 25-Year Savings: $24,002
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Salida
We break down average solar pricing in Salida.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Salida it's 2.69 per watt. The average Salida homeowner needs a 5.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $9,584 with the federal tax credit, or $13,705 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Salida depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To receive a free quote from a highly rated solar installation company in Salida, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Salida
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,477 |
| 3 years | $-9,253 |
| 5 years | $-9,030 |
| 7 years | $-8,806 |
| 9 years | $-8,582 |
| 11 years | $-8,358 |
| 13 years | $-8,134 |
| 15 years | $-7,910 |
| 17 years | $-7,686 |
| 19 years | $-7,462 |
| 21 years | $-7,238 |
| 23 years | $-7,014 |
| 25 years | $-6,790 |
Top Solar Installers in Salida
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and knowledge. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and component replacements.
If you're looking for a solar company in Salida, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Salida
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Salida
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Salida: 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
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,690 per kilowatt in Salida. The kind 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, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Salida average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Salida, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can impact the cost. Salida's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 | $2.80 | $11,750 | $27,826 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.74 | $15,365 | $37,403 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.69 | $18,830 | $47,130 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.64 | $22,144 | $57,008 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.58 | $25,308 | $67,037 | 6.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.53 | $28,320 | $77,216 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,182 | $87,546 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.42 | $33,894 | $98,027 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Salida, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Salida?
The average cost of solar panels in Salida is about $13,450 for a 5-kW system and $26,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Salida?
Solar panels aren't free in Salida, 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.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go 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 choose 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.