Solar Panels in Louisiana: Costs and Incentives in 2024
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The typical cost of a home solar panel system in Louisiana was $37,053 in the second half of 2023 before incentives, according to data from EnergySage, a solar and home energy product comparison marketplace.
Hot, humid summers are common in Louisiana, and air conditioning use can contribute to high electricity bills. Solar panel systems can offset some of these costs. However, compared to many other states, most of Louisiana has a lower payback rate for electricity sold back to the grid, which decreases long-term savings and can make solar a less cost-effective option.
Solar costs in Louisiana at a glance
Louisiana | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|
Typical cost of home solar system before federal solar tax credit | $37,053. | $34,122. |
Typical cost of home solar system after federal solar tax credit | $25,937. | $23,885. |
Median cost per watt | $3.10. | $2.96. |
Average system size | 12.0kW. | 11.6kW. |
Source: EnergySage, a solar and home energy product comparison marketplace founded in 2012. Data is from the second half of 2023. | ||
Louisiana’s average cost per watt for residential solar panels is $3.10. This was slightly higher than the national average of $2.96 in the second half of 2023. Solar panel systems are slightly larger than average in Louisiana at 12kW compared to the national average of 11.6kW.
In some states, you might be required to pay for infrastructure upgrades your utility company deems necessary for activating your system. This happens more in rural zones where grid equipment hasn’t been updated in a while. In Louisiana, large interconnection charges for upgrades are rare.
Lower demand after rising interest rates
Buying a residential solar system in cash is an option for some. However, many cannot afford solar panels without a loan, and that is reducing demand in Louisiana for solar panel systems. Between the first half and second half of 2023, prices per watt in Louisiana have held steady. But for those taking out loans, interest rates can increase overall costs.
"Interest rates are really high right now, so financing residential solar is challenging, and can eat into some of the savings,” says Rebekah Olinde, a solar consultant for South Coast Solar, a solar installer in Louisiana. “I've seen the impact of those interest rates both on savings projections and on decision-making."
Net metering in Louisiana
In most parts of Louisiana, there’s no longer one-to-one net metering, a billing system that allows homeowners to sell excess solar generated from solar panels at retail rates, making solar more cost-effective.
"The net metering policy for most of Louisiana changed in 2019. For any system installed after that, excess solar is now exported back to the grid at the avoided-cost rate, instead of at the retail rate,” says Olinde, noting there are some exceptions.
The avoided-cost rate, or wholesale rate, is much lower than the retail rate. The new policy means that affected homeowners won’t see as much in long-term electricity bill savings with solar panels. Using a solar battery to store excess electricity could increase those savings, though it would add to equipment costs.
The retail rate and the avoided-cost rate change over time. The Public Service Commission of Louisiana offers a schedule of avoided-cost rates for different energy providers, as of early 2024. These rates are all under 3 cents per kilowatt-hour. The retail cost of electricity is much higher at about 13 cents per kWh, based on EnergySage data.
The customers who get the best value from solar panels in Louisiana will be customers in the municipal-governed utilities which still use full net metering. You can ask your municipal-governed utility about their net metering policy, or read up on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), where policies like the City of New Orleans’ net metering are explained.
Property tax exemption
Like many states, Louisiana does not factor solar panels into the valuation of homes for property tax purposes. This can essentially give you a break on your property taxes. Solar panels could potentially increase the value of your home if you choose to sell it in the future.
Energy storage in Louisiana
Some form of energy storage is a common feature of residential solar panel systems in Louisiana. In areas where full net metering isn’t available, a solar battery can allow homeowners to store and use excess power as needed, reducing their electricity bills. It can also be used as a source of backup power in the case of a power outage. In Louisiana, a typical solar battery costs $13,995 after the federal solar tax credit, according to EnergySage data from the second half of 2023.
Read more about solar panel costs, incentives and policies in these states:
Can I get financing for a solar panel system?
In addition to tax incentives and rebates, there are options available. Many solar installers offer financing, but you may also be able to finance your solar investment through a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC). These options may have lower interest rates than financing with an installer, future opportunities for refinancing and possible tax benefits.
Home equity loans and HELOCs are ways to borrow against the value of your home, converting equity into cash. With a home equity loan, you receive a lump-sum payment and then pay it back at a fixed interest rate over an agreed period of time, typically from five to 30 years. HELOCs are more akin to a credit card, something you use as needed. You’ll usually have 10 years to draw from the line of credit, during which time you only have to pay interest, and after that you pay both the principal and interest. HELOC interest rates typically are variable, meaning your monthly payment could rise or fall over time. And with each of these options, you're using your home as collateral.
 Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030 | ||
|---|---|---|
Max LTV85% | Max LTV90% | Max LTV90% |
Min. Credit Score640 | Min. Credit Score640 | Min. Credit Score680 |
National / regionalNational | National / regionalNational | National / regionalNational |
Another option is a solar loan. Many banks, credit unions and online lenders offer these to fund solar panels and installation, with amounts typically from $1,000 to $100,000, and annual percentage rates ranging from 6% to 36%. They function like a personal loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in equal monthly installments over a set period, typically two to seven years. And unlike with home equity financing, there is no collateral required for a solar loan. This means your home or solar panels aren’t at risk if you miss payments, but you may have to pay late fees.
So, yes, you likely can get financing. If you go this route, compare interest rates, terms and fees with any financing package that a solar provider may offer you to ensure you get the best deal.
