⭐ CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS ⭐
Real feedback from our satisfied customers. These reviews are from our previous company, Countryside Heating and Solar, LLC, showcasing our commitment to quality and service.
Jason Bakewell
"Jason and Matt were fantastic throughout the process of our new a-frame home build south of Westcliffe. They were professional, proactive, and very thoughtful and intentional with the design and install of our systems. They were patient and educational in explaining all of the complexities of our off grid solar, forced air heating, and mini-split cooling systems. I would highly recommend Countryside Heating."
Jennifer Constantine
"How incredibly rare- honest, reliable, hardworking, local guys that know what they are doing, show up on time, and provide quality services at a fair price. They really came through when we had no heat, and we will be customers for life!"
William Cook
"We are so glad we chose Countryside to set up our solar electric system at our home. We wanted a power source that would completely protect us in the event the power grid was unavailable."
Joe Badaracco
"Matt and team did an amazing job on our new build. I was very impressed with his attention to detail and the quality of the installation. Countryside exceeded my expectation. I would recommend Countryside."
Peggy Halliday Knight
"Jason is professional, reliable, affordable. And LOCAL. Does good work. A good guy."
Jay Jacobs
"Excellent service during and after the sale. They were always on time and left everything in order. I would highly recommend this company."
View All Our Reviews
These reviews are from our previous company name, showcasing our established track record of excellence.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get answers to common questions about solar installation, costs, and benefits
General Solar Questions
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits the panels, electrons in the silicon cells are excited and create direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts this DC power into alternating current (AC) electricity that can power your home or be fed back into the electrical grid.
Absolutely! Colorado is an excellent state for solar energy with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Solar panels actually perform more efficiently in cooler temperatures, making Colorado's climate ideal.
- • High altitude = less atmospheric interference
- • Cold temperatures improve panel efficiency
- • Snow reflects additional light to panels
- • Panels are designed to withstand hail and extreme weather
Solar panels typically last 25-30+ years with minimal degradation. Most manufacturers guarantee 80% of original performance after 25 years. Inverters typically last 12-15 years and may need replacement once during the system's lifetime. With proper maintenance, many systems continue producing electricity well beyond their warranty period.
Installation Process
Physical installation typically takes 1-3 days depending on system size and complexity:
- • Residential systems (5-10kW): 1-2 days
- • Large residential/small commercial (10-25kW): 2-3 days
- • Ground mount systems: Add 1-2 days for foundation work
- • Off-grid systems: Additional time for battery/electrical setup
The total timeline from contract to operation is typically 4-8 weeks including permitting, equipment procurement, and utility interconnection.
When installed properly by certified professionals, solar panels should not damage your roof. Our installation process:
- • Uses engineered mounting systems designed for your specific roof type
- • All penetrations are properly flashed and sealed
- • We carry full liability insurance and provide workmanship warranties
- • Panels can actually protect the roof surface from weather damage
We perform a thorough structural assessment before installation to ensure your roof can safely support the system.
Solar installations require several permits and approvals. We handle all permitting for you:
- • Building permit: Local jurisdiction structural and electrical approval
- • Electrical permit: Ensures code compliance and safety
- • Utility interconnection: Permission to connect to the grid (grid-tied systems)
- • HOA approval: If required by your homeowners association
Costs & Financing
Solar system costs vary based on size, equipment, and installation complexity. Typical ranges:
- • Grid-tied residential: $15,000 - $35,000 before incentives
- • Hybrid systems: $25,000 - $50,000 (includes battery storage)
- • Off-grid systems: $30,000 - $70,000+ (varies widely based on needs)
Important: These are rough estimates. Every system is custom-designed based on your specific energy needs, site conditions, and equipment preferences. Get a free quote for accurate pricing.
We offer several financing options to make solar affordable:
- • Cash purchase: Lowest total cost, immediate ownership benefits
- • Solar loans: 0% down options, competitive rates, maintain ownership
- • HELOC/Home equity: Often lowest interest rates for qualified homeowners
- • Solar leases: Little to no money down, predictable monthly payments
Note: Federal tax incentives and local rebates can significantly reduce the effective cost of your system. We help you maximize all available incentives.
Payback periods in Colorado typically range from 6-12 years depending on several factors:
- • System cost and available incentives
- • Current electricity rates and usage patterns
- • System size and energy production
- • Net metering policies
After payback, systems continue generating free electricity for 15-20+ additional years, providing substantial long-term savings.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
Yes! With proper system sizing and battery storage, solar can provide 100% of your energy needs. Success factors include:
- • Accurate assessment of your energy usage patterns
- • Adequate solar panel capacity for worst-case months
- • Sufficient battery storage for multi-day autonomy
- • Energy-efficient appliances and conservation practices
- • Backup generator for extended low-sun periods (optional but recommended)
We specialize in off-grid systems and will design a system that meets your specific needs and usage patterns.
Battery storage requirements depend on your daily energy usage and desired autonomy:
- • Typical home: 20-40 kWh for 2-3 days autonomy
- • Energy-efficient home: 10-20 kWh may be sufficient
- • Large or inefficient homes: 40-80+ kWh for comfort
We calculate battery needs based on:
- • Daily kWh consumption
- • Desired days of autonomy (typically 2-4 days)
- • Critical vs. non-critical loads
- • Local weather patterns and seasonal variations
- • Longer lifespan (10-15 years, 6000+ cycles)
- • Deeper discharge capability (90%+ usable capacity)
- • No maintenance required
- • More compact and lightweight
- • Higher upfront cost, lower cost per kWh over lifetime
- • Lower upfront cost
- • Shorter lifespan (4-7 years, 1000-2000 cycles)
- • Limited discharge depth (50% usable capacity)
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Larger and heavier
Recommendation: We primarily recommend lithium batteries for their superior performance, longevity, and lower total cost of ownership.
Maintenance & Performance
Solar panels require very little maintenance. Here's what we recommend:
- • Visual inspection: Check panels quarterly for damage or debris
- • Performance monitoring: Watch for unexpected drops in production
- • Cleaning: Usually unnecessary due to rain; occasional rinse if very dusty
- • Snow removal: Usually unnecessary - panels are designed for snow load
- • Professional inspection: Annual check recommended for optimal performance
Most maintenance involves the inverter and electrical connections rather than the panels themselves.
Solar panels are designed to withstand severe weather, including hail up to 1 inch at 50+ mph. However, if damage occurs:
- • Panels are typically covered by homeowner's insurance
- • Manufacturer warranties cover defects and workmanship
- • We provide installation warranties for our workmanship
- • Modern panels have bypass diodes to minimize impact of single panel damage
We'll help you navigate insurance claims and warranty processes to get your system back to full operation quickly.
All our systems include monitoring capabilities:
- • Mobile apps: Real-time production and consumption data
- • Web portals: Historical performance and system health
- • Panel-level monitoring: Identify individual panel issues
- • Alerts: Notifications for system issues or maintenance needs
- • Production guarantees: We monitor and address underperformance
Monitoring helps you understand your system's performance and catch any issues early before they impact your energy production.
Still Have Questions?
Our solar experts are here to help. Get personalized answers and a custom quote for your specific situation.