Solar Panel Cost Guide in Harvey, LA (2024 Update)
- Harvey Solar Installation Cost: $26,333
- 25-Year Savings: $6,399
- Payback Period: 15.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Harvey
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Harvey.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Harvey is 4 per watt.Because a 9.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Harvey, the average price of going solar will be about $26,333 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Harvey depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Harvey homeowner can save around $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in Harvey for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Harvey
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,024 |
| 3 years | $-22,405 |
| 5 years | $-19,787 |
| 7 years | $-17,168 |
| 9 years | $-14,550 |
| 11 years | $-11,931 |
| 13 years | $-9,313 |
| 15 years | $-6,694 |
| 17 years | $-4,076 |
| 19 years | $-1,457 |
| 21 years | $1,161 |
| 23 years | $3,780 |
| 25 years | $6,399 |
Top Solar Installers in Harvey
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be hard. Another good thing about going with a top solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
Working with a professional solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. 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 Harvey
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Harvey
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Harvey is $26,333, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,800 per kilowatt in Harvey.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Harvey, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Harvey provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can affect your pricing. Harvey’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
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 | $9,684 | 15.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $13,338 | 15.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $17,204 | 15.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $21,284 | 14.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $25,576 | 14.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $30,081 | 14.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $34,798 | 14.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $39,729 | 13.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Harvey, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the completion timeline.
- 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 check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Harvey, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Harvey?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. 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 Harvey?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose 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."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.