Solar Panel Cost Guide in Orchard Mesa, CO (2024 Update)
- Orchard Mesa Solar Installation Cost: $14,241
- 25-Year Savings: $19,190
- Payback Period: 12.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Orchard Mesa
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Orchard Mesa.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Orchard Mesa, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Orchard Mesa, most homeowners require a 5.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $14,241, or $20,365 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Orchard Mesa homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Orchard Mesa
| 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 Orchard Mesa
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and handiness. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
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 in Orchard Mesa:
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
See all of the solar companies in Orchard Mesa
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Orchard Mesa
For many Orchard Mesa homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Orchard Mesa, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond 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 for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Orchard Mesa homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can influence your pricing. Orchard Mesa’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 go with will influence not only your total 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 take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you’d like to install plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- 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.
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 Orchard Mesa, CO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Orchard Mesa?
The average cost of solar panels in Orchard Mesa is about $19,900 for a 5-kW system and $39,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Orchard Mesa?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Orchard Mesa. However, you may still be able to get 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 having solar panels impact my property value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Orchard Mesa is currently $443,512, so you can look forward to a value of about $18,184 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Orchard Mesa is a rewarding investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.