Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gray, LA (2024 Update)
- Gray Solar Installation Cost: $26,315
- 25-Year Savings: $21,500
- Payback Period: 16.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gray
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Gray.
In Gray, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 9.9-kW system would cost about $26,315 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.Even with the high upfront cost, the average Gray homeowner can save about $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To get a free quote from a top solar installation company in Gray, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gray
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,006 |
| 3 years | $-22,387 |
| 5 years | $-19,768 |
| 7 years | $-17,150 |
| 9 years | $-14,531 |
| 11 years | $-11,913 |
| 13 years | $-9,294 |
| 15 years | $-6,676 |
| 17 years | $-4,057 |
| 19 years | $-1,439 |
| 21 years | $1,180 |
| 23 years | $3,798 |
| 25 years | $6,417 |
Top Solar Installers in Gray
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Gray, thereby optimizing your ROI.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Gray
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gray
For many Gray homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Gray, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,800. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Gray to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panels can affect how much it costs. Gray’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have greater resources and better 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 | $3.95 | $16,598 | $7,235 | 17.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $10,073 | 17.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $13,123 | 16.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $16,386 | 16.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $19,861 | 16.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $23,550 | 15.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $27,451 | 15.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $31,565 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panel system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two 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 previous customers.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to read through 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 Gray, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Gray?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Gray?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.