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37k 2022 Louisiana Solar Tax Credits, Rebates & Other Incentives
Here’s a quick look at the solar incentives in Louisiana:
- Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC)
- Property Tax Exemption
- Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
- Additional City & Utility Rebates
Why You Can Trust EcoWatch
Our solar experts have sifted through hundreds of local governments’ and utility companies’ websites to find accurate information about current solar incentives in each state. We’ve also unbiasedly ranked and reviewed hundreds of solar installers to empower you to make the right choice for your home.
How Much Can You Save With Solar Incentives in Louisiana?
In this article, we’ll discuss the solar incentives and rebates available to Louisiana homeowners. When you’re ready to speak with a qualified professional, follow the links below. Each of these companies can help you identify and apply for incentives available in Louisiana.
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Most Louisiana residents benefit massively from installing solar panel systems, but the cost of converting to this renewable energy source is sometimes a challenging thing for homeowners to justify. Luckily, there are some solar incentives offered by the state and federal governments that make solar power more affordable and more accessible throughout the state.
The typical installation cost per watt in LA is $2.57, which is below the national average. However, most homes in Louisiana require a system that is around 12.5 kilowatts, putting the total average cost at $32,125. Below, we’ll discuss all of the incentives available in Louisiana and how each can bring your total conversion cost down.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be relied on for and is not intended to provide accounting, legal or tax advice.
Current Solar Rebates, Tax Credits and Incentive Programs in Louisiana
The table below includes some brief information about the solar incentives available in Louisiana. We’ll also include more in-depth details about each incentive further below.
| Louisiana Solar Incentive | Description |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) | The federal solar tax credit is available to all Louisiana residents. It amounts to 30% of your total system cost and gets applied to your federal income taxes for the tax year in which the system is commissioned.1 For Louisiana residents, who pay an average of $32,125 to go solar, the typical ITC is a massive $9,638. |
| Solar Energy System Exemption | In most cases, home improvements cause your property value to increase, which causes your property taxes to go up as well. Since solar panels boost your property value, an installation would normally cause your taxes to go up. Thankfully, Louisiana provides a property tax exemption to prevent this from happening.2 |
| Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) | The HELP program is designed to make solar energy systems more accessible by providing easy access to low-interest solar loans. The program can help homeowners finance up to $12,000 with little or no money down to help ease the financial burden of going solar in Louisiana.3 |
| New Orleans Solar for All | The Solar For All NOLA program is a solar leasing option that makes clean energy more affordable for homeowners in the New Orleans area. Qualifying homeowners can get solar panels installed for no money down and with no interest.4 Leases have a longer payback period and save less over time in most cases, but this program is a great option for those who cannot afford to buy or finance panels. |
Louisiana Solar Incentives
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Louisiana ranks 38th in the country in terms of solar-friendliness.5 The political landscape in the state as far, as energy goes, makes oil and gas extraction the primary focus for energy production, so little has been done to promote solar. Still, there are some solar incentives available throughout the state to help with the adoption of solar.
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
As mentioned above, the Home Energy Loan Program is designed to make solar loans and other home improvement loans more accessible and affordable to Louisiana homeowners. Qualifying residents can finance up to $12,000 with a low interest rate and favorable loan terms for installing solar panels, solar batteries and other energy-efficiency upgrades. The funds are dispersed from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Louisiana Solar Property & Sales Tax Exemptions
When you complete a home improvement project that increases your property value, your assessed value also goes up. Since your property taxes are determined as a percentage of your assessed value, improving the value of your home will cause your property taxes to increase as well.
Solar panels add value to your property, so, under normal circumstances, going solar would bump up your taxes owed. However, to prevent this from deterring residents from adopting solar power, Louisiana provides the Solar Energy System Exemption, which guarantees your property taxes won’t increase just from installing solar panels. Over time, this could mean thousands of dollars in savings for residents.
Many states also provide a sales tax exemption to reduce the upfront costs of going solar. Unfortunately, the Louisiana Department of Revenue does not have such an exemption, so you will have to pay sales tax on your solar equipment and installation services.
Net Metering in Louisiana
Net metering is a billing policy that is largely beneficial for homeowners across the country, and some of the most solar-friendly states have great net metering programs. Most home solar power systems will be grid-tied, meaning they can pull electricity from the local power grid when their panels aren’t producing enough energy to run the home (such as at night or during a bad storm).
However, if the panels produce more energy than is needed, like on an especially sunny day or when nobody’s home, the excess power will be routed back to the grid. Net metering allows you to be compensated for this outgoing energy, which can offset the bill you receive for pulling power from the grid.
Unfortunately, Louisiana does not mandate net metering, so some solar homeowners will find that their utility company does not offer this benefit. If your electric company does, there’s a good chance you’ll be compensated less per kilowatt-hour for overproduction than you’ll be charged for the energy you pull from the grid. The policy is still beneficial but less so than in states where there’s a one-to-one credit.
Check with your utility provider to see if a net metering program is available.
Local Incentives
In addition to the above state incentives, there are some local options for homeowners in particular areas and for customers of certain utility companies.
For example, the Solar for All NOLA program is an excellent option for securing low-APR financing. It’s available to customers in New Orleans, provides full financing for solar solutions and requires no money down and no credit verification. Homeowners who qualify will also enjoy free site evaluations, and the loans can be used for additional home energy-efficiency upgrades as well.
You should also check the DSIRE database or with your local utility company to see if there are any rebate programs available to you. None offers solar-specific incentives, but some provide modest rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades like LED lighting, efficient appliances and more.
See also: Find out how much solar power your roof can produce with our solar calculator
Federal Solar Tax Credit
Finally, Louisianians have access to the federal solar tax credit, which is a hefty tax incentive offered by the federal government to all taxpayers in the country. The credit is applied to your federal income tax liability for the year your solar PV system is installed and turned on. The credit rate through 2032 is 30%. For Louisiana homeowners, who pay an average of $32,125 for their solar conversions, the typical credit is $9,638, making it one of the most beneficial incentives available in LA.
The federal tax credit is is set to reduce to 26% for photovoltaic systems installed in 2033 and 22% in 2034. The credit is set to expire in 2035 unless Congress renews it. As such, it’s best to install solar panels as soon as possible to get the higher credit rate.
Read More About Going Solar
FAQ: Louisiana Solar Incentives
At EcoWatch, we’re happy to get questions regularly from Louisiana residents, and much of what we get asked has to do with available solar incentives. Below are some of the more frequently asked questions. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Louisiana used to have a state solar tax credit, but it was phased out at the end of 2018. It currently does not have a state tax credit for photovoltaic equipment. However, the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is available to all Louisiana residents and is one of the best solar incentives available. In LA, where the typical PV system costs a total of $32,125, the average ITC is $9,638.
Yes, there are several Louisiana solar incentives available in 2022. Most notable is the federal solar tax credit, which amounts to 30% of the total cost of going solar, credited to your federal income tax liability.
Some Louisianians can also take advantage of HELP and Solar for All NOLA. HELP is a program designed to make getting favorable and affordable solar financing possible. Solar for All provides qualifying homeowners the ability to install leased solar panels for no money down and at no interest, making it a wonderful option for those who cannot afford solar or who are interested in reducing their carbon footprint and don’t need to save money on electricity.
Finally, Louisianians can enjoy the property tax exemption for solar installations, plus some can access net metering if it’s offered by their utility company.
Unfortunately, there are no rebates offered in Louisiana for going solar. Some utility companies might offer some small rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades, but there are none available for solar panel systems.
Thankfully, no! In most cases, home improvements will bump up your property taxes because the assessed value of your home — on which your taxes are based — will also go up. In an attempt not to dissuade residents from converting to solar energy, Louisiana offers a property tax exemption on solar panel systems, meaning the added property value you’ll enjoy from going solar will be exempt from property tax.
