Best Solar Companies in Boulder, Colorado

Solar can be a big investment. Our goal is to highlight companies that are best equipped to meet most Boulderites’ energy needs.

We took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors and considering the semi-arid climate, to choose the best solar companies in Boulder, Colorado, based on the following key features and respective weightings:

• Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
• Warranty terms: 20%
• Equipment selection: 20%
• Financing and payment options: 20%

» MORE: Full methodology

We’ve talked to hundreds of Coloradans who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Boulder residents should look for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $10,605 to $30,300 in Colorado. Prices in Boulder are comparable, ranging from $10,430 to $29,800.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Boulder’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Boulder household needs a system with a capacity of 9.27 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Boulder

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.
• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.

Local residential solar loans, sponsored by the Collective Clean Energy Fund in partnership with Colorado-based credit unions, are available through the Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade Loan (RENU) program. Green Colorado Credit Reserve loans are available for small businesses to fund commercial solar projects.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Solar panels are generally worth it in Colorado if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Boulder homeowners with solar panels can avoid $53,986 in total utility costs over 25 years.

It also might be easier than you think. “The only glitch we had was with Xcel Energy trying to get their people out here to replace the net meter,” Paul in Colorado told us. “Outside of that, everything went smoothly. Everything's working fine.”

The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 9 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

Considering Colorado averages 5 to 6.5 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels again. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

In our experience, the best solar companies in Colorado have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Check certifications: The Colorado Solar & Storage Association’s COSSA Member Directory is a good place to start. You can verify a solar installer’s electrical license with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Compare costs: Get multiple solar quotes from different companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

Going solar in Boulder County

The area gets a good amount of snowfall, but its sunny winter days typically help melt snow from solar panels. However, you may need to consider panel tilt and cleaning strategies to ensure optimal winter performance.

» BEST STATES FOR SOLAR: Colorado ranked 24th in 2024

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the best incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Colorado to maximize savings.

For instance, you might be eligible for rebates through Boulder County's EnergySmart program. Xcel Energy has the Solar*Rewards program, which is a performance-based incentive for homeowners and business owners. There is also no sales tax on solar panels and other renewable energy equipment.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Boulder, Colorado. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%

We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Boulder customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%

A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%

We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%

We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. Freedom Solar Power
2. Sunrun
3. ShopSolar