Best 5 Solar Companies in Santa Fe, NM

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Santa Fe

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar array. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.

Licensing and Training

New Mexico regulations mandate that solar installation supervisors must be master electricians or plumbers, with journeymen leading the piping and wiring work. Each journeyman assigned to your project will have at least two years of experience installing solar equipment. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private credentials. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Santa Fe

The style of solar panels you choose dictates how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can increase your solar system's performance. Not every solar contractor provides these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's crucial for you.

Generally speaking, it will cost about $19,650 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Santa Fe. This table displays more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Santa Fe

Solar installers offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar loans. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to rent your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only for the energy you use, much like an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and do not provide you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Look for contractors that offer several payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Santa Fe.

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Extra incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.