Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Martinville, LA (2024 Update)
- St. Martinville Solar Installation Cost: $26,762
- 25-Year Savings: $26,550
- Payback Period: 15.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Martinville
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in St. Martinville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Martinville, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 10.1-kW system would cost about $26,762 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To get a free quote from a top solar company in St. Martinville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Martinville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,185 |
| 3 years | $-22,029 |
| 5 years | $-18,874 |
| 7 years | $-15,719 |
| 9 years | $-12,564 |
| 11 years | $-9,409 |
| 13 years | $-6,253 |
| 15 years | $-3,098 |
| 17 years | $57 |
| 19 years | $3,212 |
| 21 years | $6,368 |
| 23 years | $9,523 |
| 25 years | $12,678 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Martinville
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since putting up a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance in the long run.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 install a solar energy system depends 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 several factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,800. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in St. Martinville offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in St. Martinville, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits 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 | $10,029 | 15.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $13,797 | 15.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $17,778 | 15.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $21,972 | 14.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $26,379 | 14.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $30,999 | 14.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $35,831 | 13.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $40,877 | 13.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, 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:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a good company.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, be sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Martinville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in St. Martinville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in St. Martinville. However, you may still be able to get 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.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 level 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.