15 Best Solar Companies in Boulder, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Boulder based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Boulder, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Boulder homeowner saves $1,584/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Boulder
When you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Boulder, going through so many options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many fantastic perks. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your energy bills in the long term. In fact, you can potentially save about $19,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll let you in on the top Boulder solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s green energy needs.To help you find out if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Boulder by clicking the button below.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Boulder
Smart Wave Solar
Prompt Service Delivery- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Independent Power
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Progreen Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Photon Brothers
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Tesla Powerwall
Columbine Roofing & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Aqua Care Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Klick Solar
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Green Collar Crew
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Custom Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
The Solar Revolution
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Flatiron Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Lumos Solar
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
Liv Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Vanguard Solar Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Sopris Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Boulder
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Boulder based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Boulder
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Colorado solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Boulder
While solar panels can help save you money on electricity bills over time, it’s necessary to consider the upfront costs.Some important things that affect the cost and possible savings include:
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Due to Boulder’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your power bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much power your home consumes: Households that need plenty of energy each month may need more solar panels and, therefore, be more costly, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the angle of your roof and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Boulder
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is earning government incentives.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Boulder
Installing solar panels is a profound way to do your part for a greener future.But – how much exactly can you help by using solar power? In a city like Boulder where energy use is rather high, installing solar panels is a good idea for people who want to do their part for the environment.While solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Boulder, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Boulder, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Boulder?
In Boulder, Smart Wave Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it can provide a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.