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3 Best Solar Companies in Colorado (2024): Expert Reviewed

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude + 1 other Reviewed by Roger Horowitz Updated 11/06/2024

Colorado has over 300 sunny days per year, making the Centennial State one with a high energy-savings potential if you switch to solar. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Colorado has 41 solar manufacturers to choose from, so you’re not alone if picking one feels overwhelming. We’ve researched the best solar brands available, comparing them on warranty coverage, customer reviews, performance, and more. Find a solar provider that’s right for you in our guide, and learn what statewide homeowners should know before switching to solar.

Key Takeaways

  • The best solar company in Colorado is Blue Raven Solar, for its full-service installation process. Our findings are based on a synthesis of expert interviews, user reviews, and a survey of 1,000 homeowners.
  • Colorado offers one of the strongest net metering programs in the country, allowing residents to bank power credit indefinitely instead of limiting credit accruals to each calendar year.
  • Colorado residents enjoy a sales tax exemption on residential solar purchases.

Colorado’s Top Solar Energy Companies

We tested 60 popular solar companies against our methodology. We scored each on its product selection, energy efficiency, warranty, price, customer satisfaction, Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, and more to see which has the most to offer solar buyers. The following companies scored highest among those available in Colorado.

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.4
25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.5
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
No results were found.

The Best Solar Companies in Colorado for 2024

The following solar brands earned four or more stars when tested against our methodology:

Most Reputable : Blue Raven Solar
Best Off-Grid Installer: Freedom Solar Power
Best Solar Panel Leasing: Sunrun

Our Top Picks for Solar in Colorado

Blue Raven Solar

Most Reputable
4.4

Pros and Cons

Pros 18 months of free solar power In-house solar financing options One of the solar industry’s most reputable companies Cons Short two-year power performance guarantee Some customer reviews mention pushy salespeople Workmanship warranty falls below the industry standard

Why We Chose Blue Raven Solar

Blue Raven Solar has been long-recognized by its peers and employees for trustworthiness and company success. Blue Raven’s in-house staff provides full-service installations. The company creates custom solar systems with leading panel brands, such as Q Cells and Silfab.

Blue Raven Solar is an excellent option for homeowners looking for the best financing options. The company’s BluePower Plus+ financing program requires little to no money down, plus five years of fixed interest rates. The company eliminates third-party lenders, creating a more simplified financing experience than other providers.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Blue Raven Solar includes a 25-year system warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

Blue Raven Solar has received numerous awards from Comparably, an organization that evaluates companies’ culture and reputation. Recognitions include Best Operations Team 2022, Best Places to Work in Salt Lake City 2022, and Best Company Outlook 2022. In 2021, Blue Raven Solar placed No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA

The company is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ rating from the organization. We noted that customers praised the courteous service staff and knowledgeable installers but warned of pushy sales tactics from door-to-door salespeople.

Freedom Solar Power

Best Off-Grid Installer
4.4

Pros and Cons

Pros Rooftop solar, ground-mount, off-grid, and carport installations Preconstruction consultations with home contractors offered In-depth knowledge of state permitting and building codes Cons Few system customization options Limited coverage area Some customer reviews note underperforming solar systems

Why We Chose Freedom Solar Power

Freedom Solar Power offers several solar installation options to Colorado Springs and Denver residents. Its solar equipment includes rooftop panels, ground-mount projects, off-grid, and carport installations. As a SunPower Master Dealer, the company installs high-quality Maxeon solar panels, some of the best residential market panels available.

You can add backup solutions with a Tesla Powerwall or SunPower SunVault battery. The company also offers Kohler generators for a more traditional power backup system. You can also purchase storage solutions for off-grid installations. Its staff of NABCEP-certified installers handles all installations in-house. The service department provides all solar customers with panel servicing and monitoring, removal, and reinstallation.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Freedom Solar provides a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering product, workmanship, and panel performance.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

Freedom Solar ranked No. 70 on Inc.’s Regionals 2023: Southwest list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Solar Power World recognized the company as a 2022 Top Solar Contractor, its ninth time receiving the award since 2014.

Freedom Solar Power has an A rating with the BBB and is accredited by the organization. Based on customer reviews, we learned that customers appreciate the timely project updates and knowledgeable staff but were displeased with the hard-to-reach customer support team.

Sunrun

Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.5

Learn more: Sunrun Review

Pros and Cons

Pros System monitoring technology to notify you of issues Diverse financing options to suit various budgets EV and solar battery solutions Cons Added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers Solar and battery availability vary by state Limited customer support options compared to other brands

Why We Chose Sunrun

Sunrun emphasizes solar leasing. We don’t recommend this because leasing disqualifies you from many solar tax credits and rebates. However, if a solar lease is the best financing option for you to benefit from solar energy, Sunrun is a good option. Leasing Sunrun customers receive 25-year comprehensive system coverage and ongoing maintenance. They also receive added insurance coverage for panel theft and damage.

You can upgrade your Sunrun system with solar batteries and EV chargers. Systems include solar monitoring services that track system performance and average energy use.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Sunrun offers a 10-year comprehensive warranty with product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage to solar loan and cash payment customers. Leasing homeowners receive an extended 25-year warranty with additional theft and damage insurance.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

Reputation and Awards

Sunrun was awarded 14 awards from Comparably in 2021 and 2022. The company was recognized in several categories, including Best CEOs for Diversity and Best Company for Women.

Sunrun maintains an A+ rating with the BBB. After evaluating customer reviews, we learned that customers appreciated the comprehensive system coverage. However, some homeowners expressed frustration over Sunrun’s poor customer service and delays in installation.

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


What Solar Incentives Are Available in Colorado?

Colorado solar incentives help offset solar system costs and provide additional long-term savings.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Homeowners apply for the federal solar tax credit, which provides a tax credit equal to 30% of your solar panel installation cost. You also qualify for discounts on stand-alone energy storage. For example, you could apply the credit to lower your Tesla Powerwall battery cost. You must own your solar panel system to qualify for this tax incentive.

State Tax Exemptions

The Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment protects customers from paying state sales tax on their solar purchases. This exemption only applies to state sales and use taxes; incorporated towns, cities, and counties can still charge city-specific sales taxes for these purchases. Colorado homeowners can also use the Property Tax Exemption for Residential Renewable Energy Equipment. Under this law, Colorado solar customers are 100% exempt from paying property taxes for the solar panels’ added home value.

Utility Company Rebates

Energy Smart Colorado, a federally funded program that partners with 10 communities in 25 counties, offers rebates for solar installations. Through these partnerships, solar customers can earn between $400 and $2,500 for residential solar installations. Rebates vary between each county, so check your local program’s details.

Net Metering

Net metering allows customers to receive credits in exchange for excess energy generated by their solar system. Colorado has one of the most favorable net-metering programs for homeowners. It includes the following provisions:

  • Every investor-owned utility (IOU) company must provide a net metering program and offer rebates.
  • The net metering cap is 200%, allowing customers to receive more credits for their excess energy. State programs typically have a much lower cap.
  • Excess energy is credited indefinitely, compared to other states that limit credits to a calendar year.

Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy are two of the largest IOUs in Colorado. Other smaller companies offer net-metering programs as well. The benefits of these programs vary, so check with your utility provider for details.


What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?

Look for these key benefits, features, and services when shopping for a solar panel system to get the best return on investment (ROI).

Solar Services

Solar companies use in-house or third-party contractors for the installation process. In-house teams can work directly for the installer, offering better installation quality and communication. Third-party contractors have less quality control, with varying results in different locations. In addition, communication must pass through another point of contact outside the solar provider, making the process more complicated. We recommend using solar companies with in-house teams for the best results.

Some installers may have additional services that support your solar power system. These services include system monitoring and energy-tracking apps. Companies may also offer home upgrades and repair services. 

Here’s a list of solar and home services commonly offered by solar companies:

  • Dedicated mobile app or web portal
  • Electrical services
  • Energy efficiency audits
  • Home energy monitoring services
  • Roofing repairs and services
  • Smart-home device upgrades and installation
  • Solar system monitoring 

Warranties

Since solar panels last around 25 years, look for companies offering warranty coverage for the same time frame. Our favorite cheap solar panels have shorter warranty coverage than high-quality panel options in exchange for lower initial costs. Your solar company may offer additional coverage to protect panel performance or installation issues. Below is an overview of typical warranty options:

  • Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: This plan offers protection against manufacturing defects.
  • Workmanship (or labor) warranty: The company covers any issues originating from a poor installation.
  • Power production guarantee: Your solar provider outlines your panels’ expected performance level throughout their warranty and offers repair or replacement coverage if they fall below these outlined levels.

Quick Tip

  • Remember that warranty availability, length, and coverage options vary between providers. We recommend reviewing each company’s warranty plans to find the best coverage.

Payment Options

Solar installers typically offer two or more solar financing options to better accommodate customer budgets. Some options, such as up-front payments and solar loans, make you the legal system owners, a requirement for most solar incentives. We’ve outlined the most common solar financing options below:

  • Up-front (or cash) payments: Homeowners pay for the entire solar system up-front.
  • Solar loans: This option includes an initial down payment and smaller monthly payments with interest for a certain time frame.
  • Solar leases: You pay little to no money down and make monthly payments to rent the system from the installer.
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): Homeowners make monthly payments for their solar energy use only.

Your solar provider retains system ownership with solar leases and PPAs, disqualifying you from solar incentives. These payment options work best for homeowners uninterested in owning their solar equipment. For the best ROI and maximum savings, we recommend choosing an up-front payment or solar loan.

Customer Support

After analyzing solar company reviews, we learned that customers mentioned excellent customer service as a standout feature for a solar company. Your selected company should provide customer support through various contact options. Some typical contact methods include the following options. 

  • Email 
  • Phone
  • Online chat
  • Online forms
  • Text messaging 
  • In-app messaging
  • Check online customer reviews for any callouts about a company’s poor customer service, including unreturned calls or delayed responses.

What Is the Best Way To Get a Solar Quote in Colorado?

We recommend getting a free quote from multiple companies to find the right system at the best price. After speaking with multiple professional solar installers and conducting secret shopping, we’ve learned that the typical solar quote process follows these general steps after you request a quote:

  1. Schedule your solar consultations: You’ll schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with each company. Block off at least two hours for each appointment.
  2. Find your latest energy bill: Solar companies build their solar energy solutions to match customers’ energy usage. Have your latest bill on hand for each consultation.
  3. Analyze your roof design: Each installer will conduct an in-person or virtual roof analysis. They will determine your roof’s structural integrity and available space. Depending on your solar panel type, you may need ample space for your solar array.
  4. Build your solar project: Based on their previous reviews, each solar provider will create your system. You can choose your solar panel type, inverter brand, system components, and upgrades, such as solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
  5. Review the finalized quote: You’ll receive finalized quotes for your solar energy solution, with details on equipment fees, installation costs, labor charges, and warranty coverage. Your quote will include any system upgrades and add-ons. Your quotes will also detail your financing options and estimated payback period. Compare these quotes to find the best deal.

Our Conclusion

Our top solar choice for Colorado homeowners is Palmetto because of its customer support options and 25-year comprehensive warranty package. 

Don’t forget to shop around before committing to a solar panel company. Compare prices, customer reviews, and the service you experience during the quote process before agreeing to purchase from a brand.


Other Colorado Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in CO

Is it worth getting solar in Colorado?

For many homeowners, it’s worth getting solar in Colorado due to how much sunshine the state receives. The state also provides tax exemption policies, utility company rebates, and a favorable net-metering program.

What is the average cost for a solar system in Colorado?

According to EnergySage, the average cost for a solar system in Colorado is $31,160 for a 10-kilowatt system. This is before applying the federal tax credit, which would reduce this cost to $21,812.

Does Colorado have a solar tax credit?

Colorado doesn’t have a state solar tax credit, but it does have state tax exemptions and net-metering programs that help Colorado residents reduce how much they spend.


Our Rating Methodology

We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.