Solar Panel Cost Guide in Houma, LA (2024 Update)
- Houma Solar Installation Cost: $26,297
- 25-Year Savings: $21,744
- Payback Period: 16.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Houma
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Houma.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Houma typically cost about 4.The average solar panel system size in Houma is around 9.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $26,297 for a solar installation, or $37,605 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Houma homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Houma see about $15,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Houma that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Houma
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,987 |
| 3 years | $-22,369 |
| 5 years | $-19,750 |
| 7 years | $-17,132 |
| 9 years | $-14,513 |
| 11 years | $-11,895 |
| 13 years | $-9,276 |
| 15 years | $-6,658 |
| 17 years | $-4,039 |
| 19 years | $-1,420 |
| 21 years | $1,198 |
| 23 years | $3,817 |
| 25 years | $6,435 |
Top Solar Installers in Houma
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Houma
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Houma
The cost of installing a solar system in Houma can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,800 per kilowatt in Houma.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a part in determining the cost. Houma’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Houma know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.95 | $16,598 | $7,392 | 17.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $10,282 | 17.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $13,384 | 16.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $16,700 | 16.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $20,228 | 16.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $23,969 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $27,922 | 15.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $32,089 | 15.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline rebates and warranties.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Houma, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Houma?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.