Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bayou Cane, LA (Mar 2023)
- Bayou Cane Solar Installation Cost: $17,792
- 25-Year Savings: $21,736
- Payback Period: 11.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bayou Cane
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Bayou Cane.
In Bayou Cane, solar panels cost about 2.57 per watt on average. Using this figure, a typical 9.9-kW system would cost about $17,792 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Bayou Cane homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $15,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Bayou Cane find going solar can be quite rewarding.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bayou Cane
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,211 |
| 3 years | $-13,049 |
| 5 years | $-9,886 |
| 7 years | $-6,724 |
| 9 years | $-3,562 |
| 11 years | $-400 |
| 13 years | $2,763 |
| 15 years | $5,925 |
| 17 years | $9,087 |
| 19 years | $12,250 |
| 21 years | $15,412 |
| 23 years | $18,574 |
| 25 years | $21,736 |
Top Solar Installers in Bayou Cane
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since handling can be a time-consuming project. In addition, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Bayou Cane:
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Bayou Cane
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bayou Cane
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Bayou Cane: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,570 per kilowatt in Bayou Cane. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Bayou Cane is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. The company's size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have 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 names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.67 | $11,226 | $12,748 | 11.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $17,286 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $21,967 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $26,792 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $31,761 | 10.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $36,874 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $42,131 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $47,531 | 10.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system's energy production.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Bayou Cane, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bayou Cane?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,850 for a 5-kW system and $25,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Bayou Cane?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.