Solar Panel Cost Guide in Monte Vista, CO (2024 Update)
- Monte Vista Solar Installation Cost: $13,464
- 25-Year Savings: $23,299
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Monte Vista
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Monte Vista.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Monte Vista typically cost around 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Monte Vista, most homeowners require a 4.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $13,464, or $19,254 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Monte Vista homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Monte Vista can save around $25,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Monte Vista that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Monte Vista
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,496 |
| 3 years | $-10,560 |
| 5 years | $-8,624 |
| 7 years | $-6,687 |
| 9 years | $-4,751 |
| 11 years | $-2,815 |
| 13 years | $-879 |
| 15 years | $1,057 |
| 17 years | $2,994 |
| 19 years | $4,930 |
| 21 years | $6,866 |
| 23 years | $8,802 |
| 25 years | $10,739 |
Top Solar Installers in Monte Vista
Putting up solar panels by yourself can be a difficult undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another upside of working with a solar company is that they can help you maximize your return of investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 Monte Vista
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Monte Vista
The cost of installing a solar system in Monte Vista can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Monte Vista, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,980 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand 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 cost more. Further, 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 looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Monte Vista to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Monte Vista is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of more resources and bulk 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 promotion 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 | $22,839 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.06 | $22,734 | $30,898 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.98 | $27,860 | $39,180 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.90 | $32,763 | $47,684 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.82 | $37,444 | $56,412 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.74 | $41,901 | $65,362 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.66 | $46,136 | $74,535 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.58 | $50,148 | $83,931 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- 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 solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Monte Vista, CO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Monte Vista?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, 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 cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Monte Vista?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Monte Vista. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Monte Vista is currently $238,652, which means you can expect a value of about $9,785 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Monte Vista is a rewarding investment.
How long do solar panels last in Monte Vista?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.