Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sterlington, LA (2023 Update)
- Sterlington Solar Installation Cost: $18,430
- 25-Year Savings: $22,035
- Payback Period: 11.4 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sterlington
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Sterlington.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Sterlington generally cost around 2.57. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Sterlington, most homeowners require a 10.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,422, or $26,343 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Sterlington based on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Sterlington can save about $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Sterlington that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Sterlington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,295 |
| 3 years | $-18,025 |
| 5 years | $-17,755 |
| 7 years | $-17,485 |
| 9 years | $-17,216 |
| 11 years | $-16,946 |
| 13 years | $-16,676 |
| 15 years | $-16,406 |
| 17 years | $-16,137 |
| 19 years | $-15,867 |
| 21 years | $-15,597 |
| 23 years | $-15,327 |
| 25 years | $-15,058 |
Top Solar Installers in Sterlington
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra effort and know-how. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Sterlington:
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 Sterlington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sterlington
There are several criteria that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,570 per kilowatt in Sterlington. The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Sterlington offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system. 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're only able to 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $12,473 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.62 | $14,680 | $16,919 | 11.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.57 | $17,990 | $21,509 | 11.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.52 | $21,156 | $26,242 | 11.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.47 | $24,179 | $31,120 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.42 | $27,057 | $36,141 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,791 | $41,306 | 10.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.31 | $32,382 | $46,615 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Sterlington, LA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sterlington?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key 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 be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Sterlington?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Sterlington?
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 choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.