15 Best Solar Companies in Fort Collins, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Fort Collins based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Fort Collins, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Fort Collins homeowner saves $1,491/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Fort Collins
Looking for energy freedom in Fort Collins? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since you can take advantage of many perks after adopting solar power. With high levels of average daily sunlight in Fort Collins, the solar industry is doing fairly well. An underrated driver of this has been national and statewide programs that encourage residential and commercial solar projects.
The cost of installing solar panels can change substantially depending on your home’s infrastructure and your household energy needs.If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the best Fort Collins solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Rankings for Solar Companies in Fort Collins
Smart Wave Solar
Prompt Service Delivery- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
ION Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Next Energy Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Alt E Wind & Solar, Ltd.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Solar Pathways Energy & Electrical
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
- Solar Carports
Solargize, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
REenergizeCO - Fort Collins Insulation & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
Sandbox Solar LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Klick Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Columbine Roofing & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
Progreen Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Independent Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
The Electric and Solar Specialist
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Photon Brothers
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
Vanguard Solar Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Fort Collins
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Fort Collins based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Fort Collins
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Colorado solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Fort Collins
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs above all.The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your utility bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Fort Collins uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Fort Collins
Because solar power is more sustainable than fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage its adoption.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after paying for a solar panel system. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Fort Collins, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Fort Collins
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Fort Collins, though. Using green energy for electricity in place of burning fossil fuels is an impactful way to lower your carbon footprint if you're conscious of Fort Collins' large level of greenhouse gas emissions.If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 100 pounds every year. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Fort Collins, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Fort Collins?
In Fort Collins, Smart Wave Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, completely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.