4 Best Solar Companies in Cortez, CO (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Cortez based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Cortez, CO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Cortez homeowner saves $2,284/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Cortez
Do you want energy freedom in Cortez? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding project since you can take advantage of many benefits after adopting solar power. Solar panels can be expensive, but switching to solar will save you money on your utility bills over many years. In fact, you can expect to save about $29,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change a lot based on your home’s framework and your household energy requirements.We advise shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-pressure quotes from the best solar installers in Cortez, click the link 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 Cortez
Solar Works!
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Permit Assistance- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Shaw Solar of Durango
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Living Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Today and Tomorrow
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cortez
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cortez 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 Cortez
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 Cortez
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your panels.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Typical energy usage: The more energy your household uses on average and the greater your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from going solar.
- Incentives: Those who install a solar system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $29,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your current power bills.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
To find out how much you can impact the environment and your wallet by switching to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Cortez, CO.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Cortez
In order to increase the adoption of solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make solar more economical and accessible.Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cortez
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the environment by making the switch to solar? Something that can severely affect your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive in general. If you switch to solar power and have an electric car, you can significantly cut back on your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 20 pounds every year. For those who are worried 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 Cortez, CO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Cortez?
The highest-rated local solar company in Cortez is Solar Works!, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 9.8 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
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 less of them for 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.