Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mandeville, LA (Mar 2023)
- Mandeville Solar Installation Cost: $17,828
- 25-Year Savings: $29,250
- Payback Period: 9.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mandeville
We go over average solar pricing in Mandeville.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Mandeville generally cost around 2.57. Because a 9.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Mandeville, the average price of going solar will be about $17,828 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with. With typical savings of about $18,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Mandeville find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installer in Mandeville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Mandeville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,945 |
| 3 years | $-12,179 |
| 5 years | $-8,412 |
| 7 years | $-4,646 |
| 9 years | $-880 |
| 11 years | $2,886 |
| 13 years | $6,653 |
| 15 years | $10,419 |
| 17 years | $14,185 |
| 19 years | $17,951 |
| 21 years | $21,718 |
| 23 years | $25,484 |
| 25 years | $29,250 |
Top Solar Installers in Mandeville
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Mandeville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mandeville
The cost of installing a solar system in Mandeville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company 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 important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $2,570. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment consists of more than 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 looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a popular option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Mandeville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can influence your pricing. Mandeville'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 come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into 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 | $2.67 | $11,226 | $17,272 | 9.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $23,317 | 9.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $29,506 | 9.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $35,839 | 9.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $42,316 | 9.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $48,937 | 8.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $55,701 | 8.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $62,610 | 8.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type 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 tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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.
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Mandeville, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mandeville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Mandeville?
You can't get solar panels for free in Mandeville. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Mandeville is currently $275,953, which means you can expect a value of about $11,314 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Mandeville is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.