Solar Panel Cost Guide in Prairieville, LA (2024 Update)
- Prairieville Solar Installation Cost: $26,488
- 25-Year Savings: $27,273
- Payback Period: 14.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Prairieville
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Prairieville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Prairieville it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Prairieville, most homeowners require a 10.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $26,488, or $37,878 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.Despite the high initial cost, the average Prairieville homeowner can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Prairieville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,114 |
| 3 years | $-22,367 |
| 5 years | $-19,619 |
| 7 years | $-16,871 |
| 9 years | $-14,124 |
| 11 years | $-11,376 |
| 13 years | $-8,628 |
| 15 years | $-5,881 |
| 17 years | $-3,133 |
| 19 years | $-386 |
| 21 years | $2,362 |
| 23 years | $5,110 |
| 25 years | $7,857 |
Top Solar Installers in Prairieville
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Prairieville, optimizing your ROI.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Prairieville:
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 Prairieville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Prairieville
The cost of installing a solar system in Prairieville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Prairieville average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Prairieville, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $10,628 | 15.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $14,597 | 14.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $18,778 | 14.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $23,172 | 14.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $27,778 | 14.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $32,598 | 13.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $37,630 | 13.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $42,876 | 13.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
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 Prairieville, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Prairieville?
The average cost of solar panels in Prairieville is about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Prairieville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Prairieville?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.