Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bridge City, LA (2023 Update)
- Bridge City Solar Installation Cost: $17,821
- 25-Year Savings: $24,622
- Payback Period: 10.5 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 Bridge City
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Bridge City.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bridge City generally cost about 2.57. The average solar panel system size in Bridge City is around 9.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,828 for a solar installation, or $25,494 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Bridge City can save around $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bridge City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,679 |
| 3 years | $-17,396 |
| 5 years | $-17,113 |
| 7 years | $-16,830 |
| 9 years | $-16,547 |
| 11 years | $-16,264 |
| 13 years | $-15,981 |
| 15 years | $-15,698 |
| 17 years | $-15,415 |
| 19 years | $-15,132 |
| 21 years | $-14,849 |
| 23 years | $-14,567 |
| 25 years | $-14,284 |
Top Solar Installers in Bridge City
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Another good thing about choosing a vetted solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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 Bridge City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bridge City
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Bridge City: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,570 per kilowatt in Bridge City. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get 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 over time on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Bridge City average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Bridge City, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion 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 | $14,482 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $19,597 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $24,856 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $30,259 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $35,806 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $41,496 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $47,331 | 9.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $53,310 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Bridge City, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it's important to keep an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
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 Bridge City, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bridge City?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Bridge City?
You can't get solar panels for free in Bridge City. 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 want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $856.92 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Bridge City?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having 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.