Solar Panel Cost Guide in Jena, LA (2024 Update)
- Jena Solar Installation Cost: $27,055
- 25-Year Savings: $27,280
- Payback Period: 14.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Jena
We break down average solar pricing in Jena.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Jena it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Jena is around 10.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $27,055 for a solar installation, or $38,689 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs will most likely differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average Jena homeowners see about $17,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Jena
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,478 |
| 3 years | $-22,322 |
| 5 years | $-19,167 |
| 7 years | $-16,012 |
| 9 years | $-12,857 |
| 11 years | $-9,701 |
| 13 years | $-6,546 |
| 15 years | $-3,391 |
| 17 years | $-236 |
| 19 years | $2,920 |
| 21 years | $6,075 |
| 23 years | $9,230 |
| 25 years | $12,385 |
Top Solar Installers in Jena
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installer since putting up a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Another great thing about choosing a vetted solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Jena, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Jena
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Jena
There are several criteria that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,800 per kilowatt in Jena.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Jena to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Jena, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Jena are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save 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 | $10,288 | 15.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $14,143 | 15.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $18,210 | 14.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $22,491 | 14.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $26,984 | 14.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $31,690 | 13.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $36,609 | 13.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $41,740 | 13.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you opt for.
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 Jena, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Jena?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper 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 cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $896.20 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.