Solar Panel Cost Guide in La Porte, IN (2023 Update)
- La Porte Solar Installation Cost: $16,874
- 25-Year Savings: $26,175
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in La Porte
We break down average solar pricing in La Porte.
While 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 about $16,865, or $24,117 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in La Porte depending on a variety of 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.
To get a free quote from a vetted solar installer in La Porte, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in La Porte
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,730 |
| 3 years | $-16,443 |
| 5 years | $-16,156 |
| 7 years | $-15,869 |
| 9 years | $-15,582 |
| 11 years | $-15,295 |
| 13 years | $-15,008 |
| 15 years | $-14,721 |
| 17 years | $-14,434 |
| 19 years | $-14,147 |
| 21 years | $-13,860 |
| 23 years | $-13,573 |
| 25 years | $-13,286 |
Top Solar Installers in La Porte
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra energy and expertise. For that reason, most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you aren't sure what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in La Porte: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,680. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the La Porte average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, 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. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and bulk 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 lower 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
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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
How much does it cost to install solar panels in La Porte?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in La Porte?
You can't get solar panels for free in La Porte. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in La Porte is currently $145,400, so you could be looking at a value of about $5,961 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in La Porte is a worthwhile investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know 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 home 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.