Solar Panel Cost Guide in Thornton, CO (2024 Update)
- Thornton Solar Installation Cost: $14,488
- 25-Year Savings: $17,267
- Payback Period: 13.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Thornton
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Thornton.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Thornton is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.2-kW system would cost about $14,488 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Thornton based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Thornton can save around $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Thornton that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Thornton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,520 |
| 3 years | $-11,584 |
| 5 years | $-9,648 |
| 7 years | $-7,712 |
| 9 years | $-5,775 |
| 11 years | $-3,839 |
| 13 years | $-1,903 |
| 15 years | $33 |
| 17 years | $1,969 |
| 19 years | $3,906 |
| 21 years | $5,842 |
| 23 years | $7,778 |
| 25 years | $9,714 |
Top Solar Installers in Thornton
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar installers provide can be valuable as well, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment you need.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Thornton, we've organized 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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Thornton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Thornton
There are several factors that can determine your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
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 a priority to accurately ascertain 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 want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Thornton, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s a good idea to factor 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 off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Thornton, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Thornton are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $13,835 | 13.9 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $18,892 | 13.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $24,172 | 13.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $29,675 | 13.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $35,401 | 12.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $41,350 | 12.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $47,522 | 12.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $53,916 | 12.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 good reviews from previous customers.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Thornton, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Thornton?
The average cost of solar panels in Thornton is about $19,900 for a 5-kW system and $39,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors 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 a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Thornton?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Thornton?
Although 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 the amount of 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.