While Coloradoans pay some of the lowest electricity bills in the country, the rates can vary widely across the state. They’ve also been creeping higher over the years. Between 2022 and 2023, three rate hikes added a total of $11.33 to the average bill for people who use Xcel Energy, which services Denver.
Some residents are turning to solar power as a way to save money on electricity and limit the effects of future rate hikes. Colorado recently ranked No. 12 in the US for total installed solar capacity, and the costs of purchasing a solar system have fallen dramatically in the Centennial State over the past 10 years.
Many residents adopt solar power for reasons beyond cost savings, too. They do it to reduce their carbon footprints and generally help the environment, said Mike Kruger, CEO and president of the Colorado Solar & Storage Association.
“There’s a culture of people who move here because of the beauty,” Kruger said. “They love the four seasons and the snow — it’s a big part of the economy. We’re seeing a lot of homeowners and businesses who are installing solar panels because they want to ‘do the right thing.'”
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If you’re thinking about adding a solar system to your property, there’s plenty of sunlight to harness in the Denver area, which gets nearly 300 days of sunshine every year. Here are some of the best solar panel installation companies in Denver.
Best national solar panel companies in Denver
ADT Solar
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ADT Solar is CNET’s highest rated national solar installation company in a market that’s getting more and more crowded. You can expect top-quality products from well-known brands and a price-match guarantee, but the company’s warranties set it apart from others.ADT offers a 25-year production warranty, a 25-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year weatherization warranty on the roof penetrations made during installation. The company’s preferred panels come with a guarantee they’ll produce between 85% and 89% of their rated output 25 years after installation.
You can’t lease ADT’s panels or enter a power purchase agreement, so this company is a good match if you’re looking to buy solar panels.
Palmetto Solar is another national player that offers some price transparency, high-quality equipment and strong customer service. Solar installations from Palmetto are covered by a 10-year workmanship warranty and five-year warranty against roof leakages, and two of the company’s panel products are guaranteed to produce at 86% of their rated capacity after 25 years. Palmetto’s monitoring feature can add even more peace of mind for people who feel intimidated by the technology they’re buying. The company offers a monitoring service and an app that allows you to keep tabs on the production of your own solar panels.
You can buy or lease solar panels from Palmetto or enter into a power purchase agreement.
SunPower, one of the 10 largest solar companies in the country, currently installs the best-performing solar panels on the market. You’ll get a warranty that guarantees the panels will produce at 92% or more of their original capacity after 25 years, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty and a five-year weatherization warranty. All of these top-tier products and features come with a higher price tag to match, but SunPower is also starting to offer a more affordable panel from Qcells.
You can buy solar panels from SunPower or you can enter a lease or power purchase agreement.
