See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in Louisiana
Our estimates used by
Solar power in Louisiana
Last fact-checked on January 19, 2023, by Catherine Lane
Louisiana residents don’t have access to as many solar incentives as residents in other states.
However, despite the lack of incentives, Louisiana receives some of the best sun exposure in the U.S., so a solar system here will produce a lot of electricity, leading to great savings.
The combination of high rates of solar power production, the 26% federal tax credit, and net metering creates the potential for a ton of savings on a solar system installation in Louisiana.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Louisiana
Louisiana solar power facts
$2.78 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?7 Years 11 Months
Average payback time
$55,741
Average lifetime savings
?6¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
28¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?11,538 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 9.51kW system
This 9.51kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Louisiana is $150, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
6
Solar companies in Louisiana that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Louisiana
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Louisiana
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,069 | $6,555 |
| 4kw | $7,924 | $8,558 |
| 5kw | $9,730 | $10,508 |
| 6kw | $11,424 | $12,338 |
| 7kw | $13,083 | $14,130 |
| 8kw | $14,616 | $15,785 |
| 9kw | $16,128 | $17,418 |
| 10kw | $17,500 | $18,900 |
How much do solar panels cost in Louisiana?
$2.78 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$3.06 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Louisiana?
The advantage of installing solar panels in Louisiana is the state law that exempts the value of a solar system from being added onto your property taxes. Not only that, with the abundant sunshine in The Pelican State, a solar system here will produce more electricity than a system would in other states.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the U.S.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Louisiana is that there is very little in the way of state and utility-based incentives. The state’s electricity prices are also some of the lowest in the U.S., so seeing savings from installing solar could take longer here than it would in other states.
However, because of the 26% federal tax credit, now is the best time to go solar in Louisiana.
Best solar companies in Louisiana
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Louisiana
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Louisiana
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the New Orleans area solar panels installed on a south-facing 23.5-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,752kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Louisiana?
Net metering in Louisiana
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in Louisiana mandates that for every surplus kilowatt hour (kWh) generated by solar, (like the excess energy your system creates during the day) utilities must provide a credit equal to the avoided cost rate of electricity, to be applied to future bills in order to offset costs.
You will only be credited at the full retail rate before the utility meets its net metering cap. After the utility’s net metering cap is surpassed, excess generation is credited at the avoided cost rate.
In September 2019, the Louisiana Public Service Commission voted to change the state’s net metering policy. For solar systems installed after December 31, 2019, the utility will pay homeowners at the avoided cost rate for every kilowatt hour of solar energy their system produces. Homeowners will pay the full retail rate for each kWh their homes use.
For example, let’s say in one month your solar system produces 500 kWh of electricity and your home uses 1,000 kWh. With the new net metering policy, you will be paid at the avoided cost rate for each of the 500 kWh of solar energy your system produced.
You will then pay the full retail rate for the 1,000 kWh of energy your home used. These changes double your electric bill and cut your savings from solar by two-thirds.
Systems installed before the end of 2019 will be grandfathered into the original net metering policy for the next 15 years.
Property tax exemption
Louisiana homeowners save big on their property taxes when they install residential solar panels. Installing a solar system on one’s property would usually cause an increase in property taxes, however, the property tax exemption eliminates 100% of the assessed costs associated with the solar system from the homeowner’s property taxes.
Louisiana Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Louisiana, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Louisiana using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of how many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Louisiana
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Louisiana or New Orleans ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Louisiana solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Louisiana
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Louisiana can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Renewable Energy System Property Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
