Solar Panel Cost Guide in River Ridge, LA (2024 Update)
- River Ridge Solar Installation Cost: $26,349
- 25-Year Savings: $21,555
- Payback Period: 16.7 Years
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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 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in River Ridge is around 9.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $26,349 for a solar installation, or $37,679 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $15,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in River Ridge find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in River Ridge for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in River Ridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,040 |
| 3 years | $-22,422 |
| 5 years | $-19,803 |
| 7 years | $-17,185 |
| 9 years | $-14,566 |
| 11 years | $-11,948 |
| 13 years | $-9,329 |
| 15 years | $-6,710 |
| 17 years | $-4,092 |
| 19 years | $-1,473 |
| 21 years | $1,145 |
| 23 years | $3,764 |
| 25 years | $6,382 |
Top Solar Installers in River Ridge
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you're searching for a solar company in River Ridge, 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 River Ridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in River Ridge
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in River Ridge: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in River Ridge, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,800 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in River Ridge, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in River Ridge, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $7,252 | 17.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $10,094 | 17.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $13,150 | 16.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $16,418 | 16.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $19,900 | 16.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $23,593 | 15.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $27,500 | 15.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $31,620 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in River Ridge?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in River Ridge?
You can’t get solar panels for free in River Ridge. 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 prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $795.00 per year.
How long do solar panels last in River Ridge?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.