Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Gabriel, LA (2024 Update)
- St. Gabriel Solar Installation Cost: $26,470
- 25-Year Savings: $26,292
- Payback Period: 15.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Gabriel
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. Gabriel.
The average cost of a solar system in St. Gabriel is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 10.0-kW system would cost about $26,470 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in St. Gabriel can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in St. Gabriel for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in St. Gabriel
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,139 |
| 3 years | $-22,478 |
| 5 years | $-19,816 |
| 7 years | $-17,154 |
| 9 years | $-14,493 |
| 11 years | $-11,831 |
| 13 years | $-9,170 |
| 15 years | $-6,508 |
| 17 years | $-3,847 |
| 19 years | $-1,185 |
| 21 years | $1,477 |
| 23 years | $4,138 |
| 25 years | $6,800 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Gabriel
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be hard. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in St. Gabriel, optimizing your ROI.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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
See all of the solar companies in St. Gabriel
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Gabriel
For many St. Gabriel homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Gabriel, 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
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,800.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 get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the St. Gabriel average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option 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 amount of 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in St. Gabriel is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.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 choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $3.95 | $16,598 | $10,048 | 15.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $13,823 | 15.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $17,811 | 15.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $22,011 | 14.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $26,425 | 14.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $31,051 | 14.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $35,890 | 13.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $40,941 | 13.5 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 choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you’d like plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 St. Gabriel, LA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Gabriel?
This is a tough 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. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in St. Gabriel?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to 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.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in St. Gabriel, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in St. Gabriel?
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 larger 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.