Solar Panel Cost Guide in Black Forest, CO (2024 Update)
- Black Forest Solar Installation Cost: $13,979
- 25-Year Savings: $20,855
- Payback Period: 11.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Black Forest
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Black Forest.
In Black Forest, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Black Forest is around 5.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,979 for a solar installation, or $19,990 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Black Forest can save about $23,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Black Forest
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,922 |
| 3 years | $-10,808 |
| 5 years | $-8,693 |
| 7 years | $-6,579 |
| 9 years | $-4,464 |
| 11 years | $-2,350 |
| 13 years | $-235 |
| 15 years | $1,880 |
| 17 years | $3,994 |
| 19 years | $6,109 |
| 21 years | $8,223 |
| 23 years | $10,338 |
| 25 years | $12,452 |
Top Solar Installers in Black Forest
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you’re not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 Black Forest
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Black Forest
The cost of installing a solar system in Black Forest can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
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 spend around $3,980 per kilowatt in Black Forest.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than 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
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Black Forest homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Black Forest homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can influence the cost. Black Forest’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $18,851 | 12.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $25,580 | 11.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $32,532 | 11.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $39,707 | 11.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $47,105 | 11.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $54,726 | 10.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $62,570 | 10.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $70,637 | 10.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: When looking 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 part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
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 Black Forest, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Black Forest?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Black Forest?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Black Forest. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Black Forest?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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.