Solar Panel Cost Guide in Plaquemine, LA (2024 Update)
- Plaquemine Solar Installation Cost: $26,517
- 25-Year Savings: $24,267
- Payback Period: 15.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Plaquemine
We go over average solar pricing in Plaquemine.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Plaquemine generally cost around 4.The average Plaquemine homeowner needs a 10.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $26,517 with the federal tax credit, or $37,919 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Plaquemine based on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $16,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Plaquemine that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Plaquemine
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,112 |
| 3 years | $-22,302 |
| 5 years | $-19,491 |
| 7 years | $-16,681 |
| 9 years | $-13,871 |
| 11 years | $-11,060 |
| 13 years | $-8,250 |
| 15 years | $-5,440 |
| 17 years | $-2,630 |
| 19 years | $181 |
| 21 years | $2,991 |
| 23 years | $5,801 |
| 25 years | $8,611 |
Top Solar Installers in Plaquemine
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra energy and handiness. That's one of the reasons the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, if you aren’t sure what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you're searching for a solar company in Plaquemine, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Plaquemine
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Plaquemine
The cost of installing a solar system in Plaquemine 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 equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Plaquemine, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,800 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Plaquemine average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Plaquemine to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Plaquemine homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to green energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Plaquemine, and each can charge different amounts for labor and 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 at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $8,801 | 16.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $12,161 | 16.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $15,733 | 15.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $19,518 | 15.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $23,516 | 15.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $27,727 | 14.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $32,150 | 14.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $36,786 | 14.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose greatly impacts 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:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Plaquemine, LA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Plaquemine?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Plaquemine?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Plaquemine. However, you may still be able to afford 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Plaquemine?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.