Solar Panel Cost Guide in River Ridge, LA (2023 Update)
- River Ridge Solar Installation Cost: $17,821
- 25-Year Savings: $21,555
- Payback Period: 11.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in River Ridge
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in River Ridge.
In River Ridge, solar panels cost about 2.57 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in River Ridge, most homeowners require a 9.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,828, or $25,494 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in River Ridge depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average River Ridge homeowners see about $15,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in River Ridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,689 |
| 3 years | $-17,427 |
| 5 years | $-17,164 |
| 7 years | $-16,902 |
| 9 years | $-16,639 |
| 11 years | $-16,377 |
| 13 years | $-16,114 |
| 15 years | $-15,852 |
| 17 years | $-15,589 |
| 19 years | $-15,327 |
| 21 years | $-15,064 |
| 23 years | $-14,802 |
| 25 years | $-14,539 |
Top Solar Installers in River Ridge
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra energy and know-how. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 River Ridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in River Ridge
For many River Ridge homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in River Ridge, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you select will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $12,624 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $17,120 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $21,760 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $26,544 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $31,471 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $36,543 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $41,758 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $47,118 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
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 River Ridge, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in River Ridge?
The average cost of solar panels in River Ridge is about $12,850 for a 5-kW system and $25,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in River Ridge?
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.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in River Ridge?
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 how much 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.