Solar Panel Cost Guide in Houma, LA (2023 Update)
- Houma Solar Installation Cost: $17,785
- 25-Year Savings: $21,744
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Houma
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Houma.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Houma is 2.57 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Houma is around 9.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,792 for a solar installation, or $25,443 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with. Despite the significant initial cost, the average Houma homeowner can save about $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Houma for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Houma
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,475 |
| 3 years | $-13,857 |
| 5 years | $-11,238 |
| 7 years | $-8,620 |
| 9 years | $-6,001 |
| 11 years | $-3,383 |
| 13 years | $-764 |
| 15 years | $1,854 |
| 17 years | $4,473 |
| 19 years | $7,091 |
| 21 years | $9,710 |
| 23 years | $12,328 |
| 25 years | $14,947 |
Top Solar Installers in Houma
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Also, companies with a high reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Houma
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Houma
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Houma: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,570. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Houma, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Houma offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Houma homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Houma, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $12,765 | 11.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $17,308 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $21,994 | 11.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $26,825 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $31,800 | 10.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $36,918 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $42,181 | 10.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $47,587 | 10.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it's important to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Houma, LA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Houma?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Houma?
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 don't have access to 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.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property's value significantly 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% after installing solar panels."
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to 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.