Solar Panel Cost Guide in Red Chute, LA (2024 Update)
- Red Chute Solar Installation Cost: $27,190
- 25-Year Savings: $23,805
- Payback Period: 16.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Red Chute
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Red Chute.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Red Chute, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Red Chute, most homeowners require a 10.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $27,190, or $38,882 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs may differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.With typical savings of about $16,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Red Chute find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Red Chute that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Red Chute
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,880 |
| 3 years | $-23,262 |
| 5 years | $-20,643 |
| 7 years | $-18,025 |
| 9 years | $-15,406 |
| 11 years | $-12,788 |
| 13 years | $-10,169 |
| 15 years | $-7,551 |
| 17 years | $-4,932 |
| 19 years | $-2,313 |
| 21 years | $305 |
| 23 years | $2,924 |
| 25 years | $5,542 |
Top Solar Installers in Red Chute
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers provide can be useful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Red Chute, we've 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 Red Chute
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Red Chute
There are several factors that can influence your solar panel 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Red Chute homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $8,169 | 16.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $11,317 | 16.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $14,679 | 16.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $18,253 | 15.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $22,040 | 15.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $26,040 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $30,252 | 14.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $34,678 | 14.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Red Chute, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
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 Red Chute, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Red Chute?
The average cost of solar panels in Red Chute is about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Red Chute?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Red Chute. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Red Chute have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
How long do solar panels last in Red Chute?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely 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 continue to use 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.