Solar Panel Cost Guide in Baton Rouge, LA (2024 Update)
- Baton Rouge Solar Installation Cost: $26,530
- 25-Year Savings: $26,697
- Payback Period: 14.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Baton Rouge
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Baton Rouge.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Baton Rouge is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Baton Rouge is around 10.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $26,530 for a solar installation, or $37,938 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will vary based on your energy needs and what company you want to go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Baton Rouge homeowner can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Baton Rouge that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Baton Rouge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,164 |
| 3 years | $-22,431 |
| 5 years | $-19,699 |
| 7 years | $-16,967 |
| 9 years | $-14,234 |
| 11 years | $-11,502 |
| 13 years | $-8,770 |
| 15 years | $-6,038 |
| 17 years | $-3,305 |
| 19 years | $-573 |
| 21 years | $2,159 |
| 23 years | $4,891 |
| 25 years | $7,624 |
Top Solar Installers in Baton Rouge
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of an installer can make switching to solar power much easier. Companies can also provide access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for you.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Baton Rouge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Baton Rouge
The cost of installing a solar system in Baton Rouge can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Baton Rouge, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Baton Rouge homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.
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 | $10,256 | 15.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $14,100 | 15.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $18,157 | 14.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $22,427 | 14.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $26,909 | 14.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $31,605 | 14.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $36,513 | 13.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $41,634 | 13.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Baton Rouge, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Baton Rouge?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Baton Rouge?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.