Solar Panel Cost Guide in La Porte, IN (2023 Update)
- La Porte Solar Installation Cost: $16,865
- 25-Year Savings: $26,183
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in La Porte
We break down average solar pricing in La Porte.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in La Porte typically cost around 2.68. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in La Porte, most homeowners require a 9.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,865, or $24,117 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in La Porte based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Even with the significant upfront cost, the average La Porte homeowner can save around $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in La Porte
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,143 |
| 3 years | $-11,699 |
| 5 years | $-8,256 |
| 7 years | $-4,812 |
| 9 years | $-1,368 |
| 11 years | $2,076 |
| 13 years | $5,520 |
| 15 years | $8,964 |
| 17 years | $12,408 |
| 19 years | $15,852 |
| 21 years | $19,296 |
| 23 years | $22,739 |
| 25 years | $26,183 |
Top Solar Installers in La Porte
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a challenging task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you'd like to make the switch to solar but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 La Porte
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in La Porte
There are several criteria that can affect your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in La Porte, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,680 for each additional kilowatt you need. The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many La Porte homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. It's wise to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will affect your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.79 | $11,706 | $17,010 | 10.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $22,980 | 10.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $29,101 | 9.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $35,371 | 9.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $41,791 | 9.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $48,362 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $55,083 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $61,953 | 8.8 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 things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 La Porte, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in La Porte?
The average cost of solar panels in La Porte is about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in La Porte?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.