Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bayou Vista, LA (2023 Update)
- Bayou Vista Solar Installation Cost: $17,872
- 25-Year Savings: $26,089
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bayou Vista
Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Bayou Vista.
The average cost of a solar system in Bayou Vista is 2.57 per watt. The average Bayou Vista homeowner needs a 9.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,864 with the federal tax credit, or $25,546 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Bayou Vista based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Even with the high initial cost, the average Bayou Vista homeowner can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Bayou Vista that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Bayou Vista
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,726 |
| 3 years | $-17,433 |
| 5 years | $-17,140 |
| 7 years | $-16,846 |
| 9 years | $-16,553 |
| 11 years | $-16,260 |
| 13 years | $-15,967 |
| 15 years | $-15,674 |
| 17 years | $-15,381 |
| 19 years | $-15,088 |
| 21 years | $-14,795 |
| 23 years | $-14,502 |
| 25 years | $-14,209 |
Top Solar Installers in Bayou Vista
Putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and component replacements.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
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 Bayou Vista
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bayou Vista
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Bayou Vista: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bayou Vista to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Bayou Vista, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.67 | $11,226 | $15,324 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $20,720 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $26,260 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $31,944 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $37,772 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $43,744 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $49,859 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $56,119 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the longevity of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Bayou Vista, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bayou Vista?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Bayou Vista?
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 home 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Bayou Vista?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally 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.