What to know before you start
Solar sales pitches tend to start with savings. A good scope starts with your roof, your electrical panel and your utility. Those three decide what you can install and what it takes to connect it.
Our estimator looks at roof age and condition, which way each section faces, shade from trees and neighbors, and the panel the system will tie into. Installers bid on that written scope, so you compare equipment and workmanship on the same terms. Your phone stays quiet until you pick one.
What the job includes
- Roof-mounted panels with racking and flashing sealed to the roof
- Inverter or microinverters, wiring and disconnects
- Rapid shutdown equipment the electrical code requires for rooftop arrays
- A panel upgrade or other connection work if your current panel can't take the system
- Building and electrical permits and the utility interconnection application
- Production monitoring you can check from your phone or computer
- Battery storage, if you want it
What we scope
Rooftop solar
The most common setup, with panels on the roof sections that get the most sun.
Ground-mount arrays
Panels on racks in the yard, an option on larger lots such as rural properties around Franktown, Larkspur and Sedalia.
Battery storage
Batteries that store solar power for evenings or outages, installed with a new system or added to an existing one.
System expansions
Adding panels to an existing system after a new EV, a basement finish or another added load.
What drives the cost
Every project is different, so your True Bid prices yours line by line after the site visit. These are the things that move the price most.
- System size
- More panels mean more equipment and labor, and the size should follow your actual electricity use.
- Roof type and condition
- Tile, steep or complicated roofs take longer to mount on, and an aging roof may need replacing first.
- Electrical upgrades
- A full or older panel may need an upgrade before the system can connect.
- Equipment choice
- Panel brand, inverter type and batteries all change the bid.
- Mounting
- Ground mounts need trenching and footings. Roof mounts need careful flashing at every attachment.
- Utility requirements
- Interconnection rules and any meter or disconnect changes vary by utility.
Permits and HOAs in Douglas County
Solar takes more paperwork than most home projects. You need building and electrical permits from your town, or from Douglas County's Building Division in unincorporated areas like Highlands Ranch. You also need an interconnection agreement with your electric utility, which in Douglas County is generally IREA or Xcel Energy depending on where you live. The system shouldn't be switched on until it passes inspection and the utility gives approval.
Your HOA gets a say too, but Colorado law limits how far an HOA can restrict solar. Associations may still set reasonable rules on things like placement and appearance, so the scope includes the HOA review.
Built for Douglas County
Douglas County gets plenty of sun, and clear, high-altitude skies make it a good place for solar. The same skies bring hail. Most panels are tested for hail impact, so ask each installer about hail ratings, warranty coverage and how your homeowner's insurance treats the panels.
Roof age matters here. Hail and sun wear shingles down, and pulling panels off for a reroof is extra work later. If your roof is near the end of its life, it often makes sense to replace it first. Snow also slides off panels in sheets, so think about what sits below them.
How DougCO Builds runs your project
- Tell us about itSend the basics through the project form. We call to set up a site visit.
- One site visitOur estimator measures, photographs what's there and talks through what you want.
- Your True BidYou get a written, line-by-line scope and a budget before any contractor sees the job.
- Contractors bid on the same scopeVetted local contractors bid without your contact details. You compare the bids side by side.
- We manage it with youWe check insurance and licensing before work starts, then walk the job at milestones and at the finish.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How much power do you expect this system to make in a year, and what assumptions is that based on?
- What hail rating do the panels carry, and what do the panel, inverter and workmanship warranties cover?
- Will a Colorado-licensed electrician make the electrical connection?
- Who handles the permits, the utility interconnection and the HOA application?
- What would it take to remove and reinstall the panels if I need a new roof later?
Solar questions
Can my HOA stop me from installing solar?
Colorado law limits how far an HOA can restrict solar, but associations can usually set reasonable rules on placement and appearance. Submit your plans for review before work starts. The scope lists the HOA step so it doesn't get skipped.
Do I need to replace my roof before going solar?
Not always. If the roof is in good shape, panels can go on as is. If it's near the end of its life or has hail damage, replacing it first usually avoids paying to remove and reinstall the panels later.
Are there rebates or tax credits for solar?
Programs change often, so we don't list them here. Ask your utility and a tax professional about current rebates and tax credits before you sign, and ask each installer which ones their numbers assume.
Do I need a battery?
No. Grid-tied systems work without one, but without a battery the system shuts off during a power outage for safety. A battery adds backup power and lets you use more of your own solar at night. We can scope the system with and without one.
