Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gardere, LA (2023 Update)
- Gardere Solar Installation Cost: $17,900
- 25-Year Savings: $27,900
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gardere
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Gardere.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Gardere generally cost about 2.57. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Gardere, most homeowners require a 9.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,900, or $25,597 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Gardere depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installer in Gardere, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gardere
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,068 |
| 3 years | $-12,404 |
| 5 years | $-8,740 |
| 7 years | $-5,076 |
| 9 years | $-1,412 |
| 11 years | $2,252 |
| 13 years | $5,916 |
| 15 years | $9,580 |
| 17 years | $13,244 |
| 19 years | $16,908 |
| 21 years | $20,572 |
| 23 years | $24,236 |
| 25 years | $27,900 |
Top Solar Installers in Gardere
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, 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 brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Gardere, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
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 Gardere
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gardere
The cost of installing a solar system in Gardere can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,570. The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about 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's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Gardere provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $16,378 | 10.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $22,126 | 10.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $28,017 | 9.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $34,052 | 9.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $40,231 | 9.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $46,554 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $53,021 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $59,632 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose 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 can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- 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 project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
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 Gardere, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Gardere?
The average cost of solar panels in Gardere is about $12,850 for a 5-kW system and $25,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Gardere?
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 financial benefits from going solar.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.