Anyone have experience with local installers in Denver? That's a fairly mature solar market, so I have to think there are long established contractors offering $2.75/W or lower for high quality residential solar.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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Solar in Denver, CO
- Thread starter TheTalkingMule
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- Energy Environment Policy
Confusing as your location shows Philly. 
I had panels installed in 2014 here in a Denver suburb. I used Golden Solar for the install. I also evaluated IPS, Stellar, Photon Bros, and SolarCity. Of that group, SolarCity was far and away the least competitive (they were largely focused on leasing back then, which I was not interested in for various reasons, and their outright purchase pricing was terrible-->$6/W for my home). IPS was $4.75, and Golden, Stellar, and Photon were in the mid-$3 range. We have a cement tile roof, which inflates the cost a bit as the install labor is higher (they have to remove the tiles, install the framing, then re-install the tiles. They're also easier to damage while working up there).
Second was probably Photon Brothers due to their being a SunPower dealer, which would have led to a higher-power system in the same space. We ultimately went with Golden as their project lead was super-responsive and flexible in integrating my requests into the install. They also tossed in a NEMA 14-50 install in my garage (run through the crawl space from my service panel in the back yard) gratis during the project, which I appreciated. My home has 4 relatively small roof faces. We installed a total of 15 panels on the S and SW faces, at 280W apiece (SolarWorld panels). Total system power is 4.2 kW, and it produces around 5.9 MWh/year.
I'm sure the landscape has changed since 2014, so not sure how relevant this all is to you today, but there it is. Hope it helps. If you do decide to go with Golden, I can toss you a referral (think it gets us each a few hundred bucks, IIRC) and contact info for my project manager. Not trying to steer you that way, though. Whatever you decide, I hope you end up with some panels. Denver is very conducive to solar, and it's a nice feeling to know that a large percentage of your energy comes from that big old nuclear fusion reactor in the sky.
I had panels installed in 2014 here in a Denver suburb. I used Golden Solar for the install. I also evaluated IPS, Stellar, Photon Bros, and SolarCity. Of that group, SolarCity was far and away the least competitive (they were largely focused on leasing back then, which I was not interested in for various reasons, and their outright purchase pricing was terrible-->$6/W for my home). IPS was $4.75, and Golden, Stellar, and Photon were in the mid-$3 range. We have a cement tile roof, which inflates the cost a bit as the install labor is higher (they have to remove the tiles, install the framing, then re-install the tiles. They're also easier to damage while working up there).
Second was probably Photon Brothers due to their being a SunPower dealer, which would have led to a higher-power system in the same space. We ultimately went with Golden as their project lead was super-responsive and flexible in integrating my requests into the install. They also tossed in a NEMA 14-50 install in my garage (run through the crawl space from my service panel in the back yard) gratis during the project, which I appreciated. My home has 4 relatively small roof faces. We installed a total of 15 panels on the S and SW faces, at 280W apiece (SolarWorld panels). Total system power is 4.2 kW, and it produces around 5.9 MWh/year.
I'm sure the landscape has changed since 2014, so not sure how relevant this all is to you today, but there it is. Hope it helps. If you do decide to go with Golden, I can toss you a referral (think it gets us each a few hundred bucks, IIRC) and contact info for my project manager. Not trying to steer you that way, though. Whatever you decide, I hope you end up with some panels. Denver is very conducive to solar, and it's a nice feeling to know that a large percentage of your energy comes from that big old nuclear fusion reactor in the sky.
That's great info, thank you much. I have a friend who just moved out that way and she was asking about SunRun. I told here they were a good company, but likely very expensive(like your SolarCity experience), and that I'd try to find a couple reputable local options.
Feel free to PM me your info and if she goes with your installer she'd be more than happy to mention you as the referral. Thanks again!
Feel free to PM me your info and if she goes with your installer she'd be more than happy to mention you as the referral. Thanks again!
I'm actually curious-private as in a guy who knows good stuff rather than a company? Can you expound on why you went that route? I've tossed around the idea of adding more panels to my system if I can find an economical way to do it. Not enthused about the quotes I've gotten as they tend to treat it as a new install.
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
Ah... that might complicate things a bit. And depending on how many micros you have you might need to run another trunk cable and that would basically be like another install. IIRC the limit is ~16 per trunk cable...
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
I found three installers to bid on my panels and he was by far the cheapest. Two were large companies and the third was an electrician who designs and installs mostly himself, he brought two helpers when installing the panels. Solar is his passion.
Hydrogen Electric
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
Have you considered a S, E or W facing wall? I think that would provide better production than a N facing roof.
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