Solar Panel Cost Guide in Destrehan, LA (2023 Update)
- Destrehan Solar Installation Cost: $17,833
- 25-Year Savings: $21,543
- Payback Period: 11.3 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 Destrehan
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Destrehan.
In Destrehan, solar panels cost about 2.57 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Destrehan, most homeowners require a 9.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,828, or $25,494 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Destrehan for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Destrehan
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,701 |
| 3 years | $-17,439 |
| 5 years | $-17,176 |
| 7 years | $-16,914 |
| 9 years | $-16,651 |
| 11 years | $-16,389 |
| 13 years | $-16,126 |
| 15 years | $-15,864 |
| 17 years | $-15,601 |
| 19 years | $-15,339 |
| 21 years | $-15,076 |
| 23 years | $-14,814 |
| 25 years | $-14,551 |
Top Solar Installers in Destrehan
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Plus, if you're not certain what kind of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Destrehan, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Destrehan
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Destrehan
There are many criteria that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $2,570. The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular route because they decrease 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 increases your all-in costs, so it's vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Destrehan is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $12,608 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $17,099 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $21,733 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $26,512 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $31,434 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $36,500 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $41,710 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $47,065 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though 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 peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering 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 solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- 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 expectations you should have about the installation process.
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 Destrehan, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Destrehan?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 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.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Destrehan?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably 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% with a solar installation."
How long do solar panels last in Destrehan?
Even though 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to 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.