Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fruita, CO (2024 Update)

  • Fruita Solar Installation Cost: $14,241
  • 25-Year Savings: $19,190
  • Payback Period: 12.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fruita

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Fruita.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Fruita typically cost around 4.The average Fruita homeowner needs a 5.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,241 with the federal tax credit, or $20,365 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $21,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fruita find installing solar panels can pay off big.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Fruita that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Fruita

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,272
3 years $-11,336
5 years $-9,400
7 years $-7,464
9 years $-5,528
11 years $-3,591
13 years $-1,655
15 years $281
17 years $2,217
19 years $4,154
21 years $6,090
23 years $8,026
25 years $9,962

Top Solar Installers in Fruita

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Fruita

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fruita

There are a number of factors that can determine your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,980. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Fruita, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you choose will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower 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 $16,439 12.8 years
8 kW $4.06 $22,734 $22,365 12.6 years
10 kW $3.98 $27,860 $28,513 12.4 years
12 kW $3.90 $32,763 $34,884 12.1 years
14 kW $3.82 $37,444 $41,479 11.9 years
16 kW $3.74 $41,901 $48,296 11.6 years
18 kW $3.66 $46,136 $55,335 11.4 years
20 kW $3.58 $50,148 $62,598 11.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Fruita, CO Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fruita?

The average cost of solar panels in Fruita 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How will having solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.

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