Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wellington, CO (2024 Update)
- Wellington Solar Installation Cost: $15,046
- 25-Year Savings: $15,970
- Payback Period: 14.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wellington
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Wellington.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Wellington is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Wellington is around 5.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,046 for a solar installation, or $21,516 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Wellington can save about $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Wellington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,078 |
| 3 years | $-12,142 |
| 5 years | $-10,205 |
| 7 years | $-8,269 |
| 9 years | $-6,333 |
| 11 years | $-4,397 |
| 13 years | $-2,461 |
| 15 years | $-524 |
| 17 years | $1,412 |
| 19 years | $3,348 |
| 21 years | $5,284 |
| 23 years | $7,220 |
| 25 years | $9,157 |
Top Solar Installers in Wellington
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra time and knowledge. That's why most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy usage, but working with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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
See all of the solar companies in Wellington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wellington
Though the average cost of a solar system in Wellington is $15,046, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Wellington, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,980 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Wellington, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Wellington provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Wellington, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower 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 | $11,655 | 15.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $15,986 | 14.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $20,540 | 14.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $25,317 | 14.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $30,316 | 13.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $35,538 | 13.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $40,984 | 13.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $46,652 | 13.0 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 selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which kind 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 making your decision.
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
EcoWatch's Wellington, CO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Wellington?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Wellington?
Solar panels aren’t free in Wellington, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Wellington?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 how much 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 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.