Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oakdale, LA (2025 Update)
- Oakdale Solar Installation Cost: $26,364
- 25-Year Savings: $31,507
- Payback Period: 13.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Oakdale
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Oakdale.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Oakdale generally cost around 4.Using this figure, a typical 9.9-kW system would cost about $26,364 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Oakdale see about $19,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Oakdale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,786 |
| 3 years | $-21,631 |
| 5 years | $-18,476 |
| 7 years | $-15,321 |
| 9 years | $-12,165 |
| 11 years | $-9,010 |
| 13 years | $-5,855 |
| 15 years | $-2,700 |
| 17 years | $456 |
| 19 years | $3,611 |
| 21 years | $6,766 |
| 23 years | $9,921 |
| 25 years | $13,076 |
Top Solar Installers in Oakdale
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Solar companies offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Oakdale:
See all of the solar companies in Oakdale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oakdale
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Oakdale: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Oakdale average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Oakdale, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Oakdale is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $3.95 | $16,598 | $13,269 | 13.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $18,118 | 13.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $23,179 | 13.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $28,453 | 13.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $33,940 | 12.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $39,640 | 12.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $45,553 | 12.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $51,678 | 12.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
EcoWatch's Oakdale, LA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oakdale?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Oakdale have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires 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 home 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.