Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fort Polk South, LA (2024 Update)
- Fort Polk South Solar Installation Cost: $26,515
- 25-Year Savings: $30,484
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fort Polk South
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Fort Polk South.
In Fort Polk South, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Because a 10.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Fort Polk South, the average price of going solar will be about $26,515 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Fort Polk South homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fort Polk South find investing in solar can pay off big.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Fort Polk South
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,937 |
| 3 years | $-21,782 |
| 5 years | $-18,626 |
| 7 years | $-15,471 |
| 9 years | $-12,316 |
| 11 years | $-9,161 |
| 13 years | $-6,005 |
| 15 years | $-2,850 |
| 17 years | $305 |
| 19 years | $3,460 |
| 21 years | $6,615 |
| 23 years | $9,771 |
| 25 years | $12,926 |
Top Solar Installers in Fort Polk South
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Fort Polk South
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fort Polk South
There are a number of criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,800 per kilowatt in Fort Polk South.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 opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Fort Polk South average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Additionally, some companies in Fort Polk South have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $12,545 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $17,152 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $21,972 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $27,005 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $32,250 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $37,709 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $43,380 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $49,264 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, such as:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
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 Fort Polk South, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fort Polk South?
The average cost of solar panels in Fort Polk South is about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Fort Polk South?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable 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 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Fort Polk South is currently $124,191, which means you could be looking at a value of about $5,092 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Fort Polk South is a fruitful investment.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production 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.