Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Martinville, LA (2023 Update)
- St. Martinville Solar Installation Cost: $18,100
- 25-Year Savings: $26,550
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Martinville
We go over average solar pricing in St. Martinville.
In St. Martinville, solar panels cost about 2.57 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in St. Martinville, most homeowners require a 10.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,098, or $25,880 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in St. Martinville see about $17,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a top solar installer in St. Martinville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Martinville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,951 |
| 3 years | $-17,653 |
| 5 years | $-17,356 |
| 7 years | $-17,058 |
| 9 years | $-16,760 |
| 11 years | $-16,463 |
| 13 years | $-16,165 |
| 15 years | $-15,867 |
| 17 years | $-15,570 |
| 19 years | $-15,272 |
| 21 years | $-14,974 |
| 23 years | $-14,677 |
| 25 years | $-14,379 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Martinville
Installing solar panels on your own can be a challenging undertaking, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you aren't sure what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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. Martinville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Martinville
For many St. Martinville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Martinville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in St. Martinville, one of the most crucial 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 power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,570 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many St. Martinville homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. 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 more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $2.67 | $11,226 | $15,401 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $20,823 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $26,388 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $32,098 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $37,951 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $43,948 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $50,090 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $56,375 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in St. Martinville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you hire.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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. Martinville, LA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Martinville?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,850 for a 5-kW system and $25,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more 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 opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost 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 your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St. Martinville?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity 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?
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 decide to replace them after having 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.