Louisiana has high electricity rates due to its location and frequent tropical storms. If you want to put a dent in those high bills, solar panels could be a good option.
Renewable sources generate only 4% of the state’s electricity, and only a tenth of that is solar energy. The state’s Climate Action Plan supports solar investments to reach the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The price of residential solar panel systems has decreased significantly in the last decade while electricity rates continue to increase in most of the country. Installing solar panels is a great way to save money on your energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s what you should know before doing so in Louisiana.
Can solar panels save you money?
Interested in understanding the impact solar can have on your home? Enter some basic information below, and we’ll instantly provide a free estimate of your energy savings.
Best national solar panel companies in Louisiana
ADT Solar
Instantly estimate your solar cost and savings. Pick a provider later.
Headquartered in Mandeville, Louisiana, ADT Solar is a national residential solar installer. ADT Solar installs name-brand products such as QCells solar panels, Enphase microinverters and the Tesla Powerwall solar battery. ADT guarantees your products will last with its 25-year quality of work warranty and power production guarantee. The company also offers a price protection guarantee to match a competitor’s rate for equal products and benefits.
SunPower Solar is a solar installer and manufacturer headquartered in California. SunPower is one of the largest solar companies in the US and offers some of the most efficient solar panels on the market. The company’s 25-year warranty supports products, production and quality of work.
Tesla Solar
Instantly estimate your solar cost and savings. Pick a provider later.
Tesla Solar has a wide service area and has been known to offer cheaper solar costs. The company also offers a price-match guarantee. Tesla manufactures its own battery, the Tesla Powerwall, and its panels are backed by a 10-year workmanship and weatherization warranty. The panels are also guaranteed to work at least at 85% capacity after 25 years.
Local solar panel companies in Louisiana
We researched solar companies to pull together a few local solar companies to consider. We recommend receiving multiple quotes to compare and choose what works for your budget.
Since 2008, Solar Alternatives has provided commercial and residential solar services to Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. In addition to solar panels, Solar Alternatives installs solar batteries, the Tesla Solar Roof and electric vehicle chargers. The company offers services for solar panel upkeep, such as panel cleaning, maintenance and system inspection and handles manufacturer warranty claims.
JEH Solar
Instantly estimate your solar cost and savings. Pick a provider later.
JEH Solar provides solar and electrical services in Lafayette, Louisiana and the surrounding area. The company installs panels, inverters and solar batteries from brands like Enphase, SolarWorld and DPW Solar. Manufacturers’ warranties back the solar system components, but the company website does not detail any quality of work warranty.
South Coast Solar
Instantly estimate your solar cost and savings. Pick a provider later.
Located in South Carolina and Louisiana, South Coast Solar has 13 years of solar installation experience. The company’s solar consultants take you through the design process and continue providing support for maintenance and repairs. South Coast Solar’s certified professionals install SunPower solar panels and the Tesla Powerwall battery.
How to determine which solar company in Louisiana is best for me
Solar is a costly investment, so you want to make sure you’re picking the right installer for the job. Here are some tips to help you find a reputable installer.
- Understand federal, state and local solar incentives.
- Read online reviews from multiple sources. Google and Yelp are a good place to start.
- Get recommendations from neighbors who have solar installed.
- Check an installer’s licensing and certifications. Look for installers who are certified by NABCEP.
- Compare multiple solar quotes.
- Ask your installer all your questions, even the difficult ones.
- Assess your potential savings cost and your solar payback period. Your installer should be able to explain this to you.
Average cost of solar panels in Louisiana
Here’s a look at the average cash price for a 5-kilowatt system before factoring in tax credits incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com.
Louisiana solar panel costs
| System size (kW) | Price per watt | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $3.80 | $19,016 |
Solar financing options for Louisiana residents
There are several buying options to consider when buying a solar system. Some budgets may be a good fit for a cash purchase while others may benefit from options with lower upfront costs. Check out CNET’s solar buying guide to further explore solar payment methods.
Cash: Incentive-eligible options include a cash purchase and solar loan. A cash purchase provides a larger return on investment but comes with high upfront costs.
Solar loan: These loans are typically offered by your solar installer or one of their partners. Solar loans have lower upfront costs, but interest and fees add up over time.
Other loans: You don’t have to use a solar-specific loan to buy solar panels. You can also use a home equity loan, home equity line of credit or personal loan, although these options all come with risks and drawbacks of their own.
Leases and PPAs: Solar leases and power purchase agreements are not eligible for incentives but are an option if you want to power your home with solar energy without panel ownership. The main difference between leases and PPAs is payment. In a solar lease, the solar company owns the panels and you pay a fixed monthly price. In a PPA, you pay a monthly fee to a solar company for the amount of energy used.
Read more: Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system? See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.
Louisiana solar panel incentives and rebates
Even though solar costs have decreased, installing a solar system is still a significant investment. Solar incentives are available in Louisiana to make solar more affordable.
One of the most substantial incentives is the federal residential clean energy credit, which offers 30% toward the purchase of a solar system as a credit on your federal tax return. In Louisiana, this credit could save over $10,000 on the average system. Additional incentives lower the total price and payback period.
Louisiana solar incentives
Installation factors to consider
Remember the following questions when determining if installing a solar system is right for you.
Factors to consider
| Does your insurance policy cover solar panels? | If your current homeowner’s insurance policy does not include solar panels, contact your agent to make updates. |
|---|---|
| Is your home shaded? | Solar panels perform best with at least four hours of direct sunlight. Consider removing any obstructions. |
| Are you a member of an HOA? | Homeowners associations in Louisiana cannot ban solar panels, but there may be restrictions. Check with your HOA or other neighborhood association for guidelines. |
| What is your roof condition? | Your roof will require maintenance before installation if it is old or damaged. Factor roof repair into your total cost. |
| Do you rent or own your home? | Renters are usually kept from making many changes to the property. Community solar programs are available for renters through subscription-style services. |
| Who completes the solar installation process? | Ask your selected solar company if the installation process is completed in-house or with subcontractors. Ensure you have a list of who to contact throughout the process. |
| Have you received multiple price quotes? | Getting estimates from various companies can help you determine the company that best fits your budget. |
| What is the company’s warranty? | Not all companies list warranties on their website. Ask and compare the lengths and terms for any potential maintenance and protection. |
| What kind of solar panel system do you want? | All solar panels are not created equal. Some are more efficient than others. You can also get solar shingles, which look more like normal shingles. |
How we found the best solar companies
Doing a hands-on review of a solar company is difficult, and considering all the differences between projects is impossible. Instead, we focused on what we can measure and meaningfully compare among solar companies.
When evaluating solar companies, we focus on three categories of criteria: equipment, warranties and service.
For the equipment category, companies receive scores for the panels, batteries and inverters they install. The warranty category includes the guarantees on the panels, workmanship and weatherization against leaks. Solar companies will earn points in the service category if they offer a price match guarantee, a decent level of price transparency and a well-rated app for monitoring solar energy production. Solar companies lose points if there are glaring issues concerning customer service. This includes lawsuits, investigations or reputations for low-quality service. These service issues will always be detailed in the review.
Here’s a more detailed look at how we break down the scoring.
We don’t consider the average price of a solar company’s installations in their score. Accurate and reliable pricing information is hard to find and difficult to compare across service areas (and even project to project). Solar companies are often slow to disclose this information as well. We also leave out easy-to-find (but not useful information), such as how many states a company operates in.
Louisiana solar FAQs
How much do solar panels cost in Louisiana?
Should I buy or rent solar panels?
How can I find a solar installer in Louisiana?