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

  • Louisville Solar Installation Cost: $14,732
  • 25-Year Savings: $9,471
  • Payback Period: 14.1 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 Louisville

We break down average solar pricing in Louisville.

The average cost of solar panels in Louisville is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Louisville is around 5.3 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,732 for a solar installation, or $21,067 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Louisville find investing in solar can pay off big.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Louisville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,763
3 years $-11,827
5 years $-9,891
7 years $-7,955
9 years $-6,019
11 years $-4,082
13 years $-2,146
15 years $-210
17 years $1,726
19 years $3,663
21 years $5,599
23 years $7,535
25 years $9,471

Top Solar Installers in Louisville

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers 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 Louisville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Louisville

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Louisville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,980.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Louisville homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can affect the cost. Louisville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

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 $12,241 14.7 years
8 kW $4.06 $22,734 $16,767 14.4 years
10 kW $3.98 $27,860 $21,515 14.1 years
12 kW $3.90 $32,763 $26,487 13.8 years
14 kW $3.82 $37,444 $31,682 13.5 years
16 kW $3.74 $41,901 $37,099 13.3 years
18 kW $3.66 $46,136 $42,740 13.0 years
20 kW $3.58 $50,148 $48,603 12.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies to choose from in Louisville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
  • Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.

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 Louisville, CO Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Louisville?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Louisville?

Solar panels aren’t free in Louisville, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $987.51 per year.

How long do solar panels last in Louisville?

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 opt to replace them after having 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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