Louisiana solar incentives are the secret ingredient that can reduce the cost of solar panels in Louisiana.
Converting to solar power may at first seem daunting, and it is expected because it costs tens of thousands of dollars to install a home solar energy system.
But, to encourage this green energy, the government and many states offer rebates, incentives and other solar tax credits that can reduce the upfront costs of the system.
It is a sound investment, whether you are a Louisianan or not. Apart from the high amount of sunshine that the state receives all through the year to make the panels more effective, it also makes a lot of sense to look at it from a financial angle.
If you need a break from paying high electricity bills every month, solar power is here to help.
This guide explains how Louisiana solar incentives work to lower the cost of solar panels in Louisiana, and provides details about how to take advantage of these programs before they are removed.
Solar Power Louisiana: Daily Peak Sun Hours
Louisiana is infamous for its high electricity rates, no thanks to the frequent storms. This has a lot to do with its location, and Louisianans are constantly thinking of how to reduce, or better yet completely eliminate their excessive bills.
Solar system Louisiana seems to be the best solution for many homeowners at the moment, and it is easy to tell why.
One thing to smile about is that the cost of solar panels in Louisiana has dropped by a massive 50%, that is over the last ten years.
At the same time, the electricity rates don’t seem to drop, and there has been a record 6.2% jump in a single year, which is enough to convince anyone to make a quick switch.1
As if that is not enough, Louisiana receives plenty of sunshine, 216 sunny days to be exact, which is even higher than the national average.
Places like New Orleans and Baton Rouge enjoy as much as 219 and 218 sunny days, respectively. Even Shreveport and Lake Charles experience a lot of sunny days, 214 and 213, to be exact, which make Louisiana one of the best spots for solar panels.
However, the current state of solar power in the Bayou State is not what you would expect. Out of all the states, it kind of lags behind at number 38 when it comes to solar capacity.
Unfortunately, there are only 20,500 homes with running panels, and only 0.43% of the state’s total power comes from the sun.
But don’t you worry. It doesn’t mean that there is something wrong, only that more and more people need to be sensitized about solar power. Besides, it is excellent news that the Louisiana solar incentives are there to serve as a boost for new panel owners, letting them know that they don’t have to bear the burden alone.
Solar Farms in Louisiana
Successful and proposed solar farms in Louisiana are a clear indication that the state is serious about renewable energy goals.11
Companies in the states are setting up multi-million solar power stations, and you can tell that this changes a lot about Louisiana.
From easy access to clean energy to the creation of hundreds of jobs, solar power has too many advantages for people.
Consider Entergy’s New Orleans Solar Station (NOSS), a 100-acre solar farm that was completed in 2020.
It is a 20 MW facility that provides power to the nearby residents and is currently providing over 10% of the utility’s power. It is on track to generate 90% by the year 2040, and it is totally achievable.
Apart from that, the building of Louisiana’s largest solar farm is still underway. The Oxbow Solar Project is supposed to sit on a massive 1,800 acres, and you can imagine how much it will be of service to the people.
States also play their part in helping such projects come to life, and one clear example is the federal grants for solar farms which provide funding for such massive projects, especially in rural settings.
How Much Are Solar Panels in Louisiana? Cost of Solar Panels in Louisiana
Solar panels are, without a doubt, one of the most important yet most expensive home improvement projects you will likely ever do.
You must have heard that panel installation is no child’s play and that it can cost you a fortune, but before you panic, remember that the rules vary in each state and that individual needs also come into play when deciding how much the cost of solar panels in Louisiana is.
So, how much will the project set you back? Well, it will cost you $25,700 if you are setting up a 10 kW solar system and the price obviously goes higher or lower according to the size of the installation.
However, many homeowners have reported that their setups cost about $32,000,9 which is expected considering that there are several factors to consider.
In comparison to the national average, you will realize that the price point in Louisiana is slightly lower, which is great news if you are thinking of starting the project.
While the panels in most parts of the country cost about $2.66 for every watt installed, it will cost you an average of $2.57 if you live in Louisiana.
The only thing that makes the cost of panels in Louisiana to be slightly higher in most instances is the fact that the state has heavy energy needs. Louisianans need electricity to cool down their homes when it gets extremely hot and, conversely, heat up during the punishing winter months.
Therefore, it is common for many homes to have 12 kW systems installed, which are the only sizes that can help fulfill their needs.
Solar Panel Cost Calculator Louisiana, How Does It Work?
Using solar panel cost calculators gives you a perspective on the entire project. If you are a homeowner looking to buy panels,12 you want to make calculated moves, all in a bid to ensure that you get the best prices in the market, not too cheap, and at the same time, not too overpriced.
The calculators are available online, and you don’t have to leave your house to know how much the system is supposed to cost.
So how do they work? This software utilizes facts and findings about your project, makes calculations, and produces results.
The more accurate your data, the more accurate the results will be. Each calculator has a specific design, carefully tailored to project the cost and this means that each will work differently.
Basically, most will ask you about your energy needs, that is how much you usually spend on utility in a typical month. Here, your previous bills will come in handy.
Others will also ask you various questions, all of which will be useful in calculating how many panels you actually need and how much the entire system will cost you, this is according to the quotations from various local companies.
Solar Panel Installation Cost Louisiana: Factors Affecting the Cost of Solar Panels in Louisiana
Solar panel installation in Louisiana costs $25,700, which is only a rough estimate, explaining why many homeowners end up paying more when purchasing their solar panels.
However, this is not a fixed cost because the price can go lower if you put some factors into consideration. But remember, the rate can also go as high as $32,000 unless you play your cards right.
If you are aiming to reduce the cost of your solar panels significantly, the following are the key factors to pay close attention to.
Energy Needs
Probably the main factor that you will notice has a major role to play when determining how much your entire system will go for. Note that the price of the panels goes hand in hand with the size.
In the same light, remember that the higher your energy needs, the larger the system gets. It is now self-explanatory that the more power you need, the more expensive the setup will get.
The Equipment
Panels come from very many brands, and there are a myriad of types that you can choose from. Comparison when shopping matters a lot because some brands can be too overpriced when they work just as well as cheaper brands.
You don’t want to fall prey to that because every dollar counts when it comes to the cost of solar panels in Louisiana. In equal measure, you also don’t want to buy an extremely cheap brand that will only end up requiring replacement a few years down the line.
The trick is to go for reputable brands and then compare their prices, this way, you get cheap without compromising on performance.
Financing Option
Prospective buyers may not know this, but how you pay for your panels makes a huge difference.13 Cash payment is the most recommended, unlike solar loans that accrue a lot of interest later on.
Since many homeowners may not afford all the upfront costs, the best you can do is to shop for loans with the most favorable rates and convenient repayment terms.
The Company
Two neighbors with the same solar system size may end up paying differently for their panels, but why? This varies with the installation company; each company has a different price range, which is why comparing quotations is so important.
Also, the contractor makes a whole lot of difference because companies come with their own experience and expertise. As long as you are sure that you are dealing with a reputable firm, the next thing to do is to check that the price is also right.
Louisiana Solar Incentives You Should Know
Solar incentives and tax rebates reduce the cost of solar panels in Louisiana, and there is no better time than this to invest.
You want to take full advantage of them as soon as you can while they are still in effect; otherwise, you may never get a better deal than that.
Did you know that you can save more than $5,000 of the total installation cost by simply applying for rebates? If you put into consideration just how much the system will otherwise cost you, you will appreciate how helpful the solar rebates from the government and Louisiana solar incentives are.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit
Federal energy credits are a dream come true, not only for Louisianans but also for the entire country. This Solar investment tax credit (ITC) incentive is not particularly exclusive to the state because it is available in all 50 states.
But still, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it is one of the go-to solar programs that you should start applying for first.
You better get a move on because there is no other program in Louisiana or even in the country that would give you 30% off your total installation cost.
It works by discounting the amount of money from your next tax return that you would have otherwise had to pay.8 If you want huge savings, this should be your go-to.
The 30% rate is constant at least until the beginning of 2033 when it is supposed to reduce to 26%. This is why it is so important to apply for it as soon as now because, who knows, it may be too late, and there will be no tax credit up for grabs.
Property Tax Exemption
One thing is for sure in Louisiana, or any other state for that matter, is that if you have any home improvement project, your house’s value is supposed to increase, and so should your property taxes.
Normally, the tax rate is subject to how much your home is worth, and with solar panels, it automatically means that your house’s value must increase, and the same goes for the expected taxes.
But not necessarily. Louisiana’s property tax exemption makes sure that nothing happens to your tax rate only because you installed panels, which is quite an excellent idea.14
You may eventually save thousands that you would have otherwise paid for as a result of the increase in tax. Luckily the exemption makes sure that this doesn’t happen.
Want to know even more excellent news about the incentive?
You absolutely don’t have to apply for it. It is automatic, and the tax assessor knows not to increase your tax rate during the property assessment.
This is welcome news, especially for high-cost areas where the property value is expected to increase significantly, although the same cannot be said for areas where the property tax is generally too low.
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
You will admit to the fact that raising the funds for the solar system’s upfront cost is probably the hardest part of the entire project.
This is especially true for low-income families who want to make the switch but just can’t due to financial restraints. Not to worry, HELP is here to help, and in a great way.
This program provides prospective solar panel owners with as much as $12,000 in terms of loans to set up their systems.
This facility is part of the state government, which finances 50% of the loan at 2% interest, while the other part must be financed at the regular market rate.
As a result of this, you get a solar loan that is easy on your pocket, and it is a dream for many homeowners who really want to own solar panels but can only put little money down for it.
These loans help make solar more accessible for many homeowners, and all you have to do is to apply for HELP at the web page of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and pick a lender.5
Net Metering
Net metering is another pretty common incentive that you can find in various states of the country. It is quite a popular initiative that is a win-win for both the utility company and the customer who has got solar panels installed.
It basically involves having the company utilize the excess energy that your solar system generates.
You get a great deal in exchange because the company gives the power back to you but at a very reduced rate when you really need electricity from the grid.
You may ask why and when you would ever need to turn to the grid for power when you already have panels. Well, first, panels don’t always produce electricity.
They don’t work at night, and sometimes their performance may be reduced when there is weather interference.
It answers your question, do solar panels work on cloudy days? If you don’t want to deal with the struggle and want to run your AC and perform other tasks seamlessly, you may have to turn to the grid.15
At least this time round, the rate will be very favorable because you earn credits whenever you “sell” your solar power.
However, note that utility companies in Louisiana are not legally required to provide net metering for their consumers.
Sadly, it means that each company has a choice to do it or not, and when they do they set their own prices, which may sometimes be unfavorable depending on the provider in question.
Local Solar Incentives
The Louisiana solar incentives above are incredible ways for the state and the national government to get more and more people on board when it comes to adopting solar power.
In addition to those ones, there are also chances that you may be eligible for local rebate programs like NOLA and mandatory net metering in New Orleans.
Otherwise called the New Orleans Solar for All, NOLA is a thoughtful incentive for the residents of the city.
If you are part of a low-income household, you are eligible for the solar lease program from NOLA, which is a convenient way to own panels with little or no money down.7
This has proven to be very effective for homeowners that cannot be able to make cash purchases yet doesn’t qualify for solar loans.
The residents of New Orleans have another solar incentive in the form of Mandated Net Metering. It is not mandatory in the rest of the state, but the city has made sure that utilities can provide the service at the best retail rate possible for every kWh your system can generate.
How Does the Federal Solar Tax Credit Work in Louisiana?
The federal solar ITC has been in existence for the longest time and is revered as one of the country’s genius plans to get more people to adopt solar energy.
This system is basically a tax credit that gives you a 30% discount on what you paid for your panels. One thing to remember is that it is only issued once you have completed the installation because, obviously, how else would you be able to calculate the total amount you spent now minus the 30%?
When finished, you apply for the incentive and have the percentage reflected in the amount of taxes that you owe in that year.
For Louisianans, this usually means anything around $9,000, that is, if you went for a massive system that cost you over $30,000.
Another rule that is in place when it comes to the Solar Investment Tax Credit is that it is only given to the homeowners who actually own the panels.16
Sad for you if you went for a solar loan because that means that the ownership right remains with the company. In addition, the system is supposed to be brand new, straight from the shop, with no second-hand or gifted products.
A common question that should not be ignored is, How does the solar tax credit work if I don’t owe taxes?
It cannot, in simple terms, and there is no way to work around it because that is how it was designed in the first place.
It works against your tax liability, making sure that the amount is a discount on the amount of money that you owe the government, and it becomes tricky if you don’t have a tax liability. Simply put, if you don’t pay taxes, you are ineligible for the solar tax credit.
How Does Net Metering Work in Louisiana?
Louisiana net metering is a billing system that has been in effect for a really long time and has an elaborate mode of operation. It is the best way that you can link your solar panels to the traditional grid and get back the power at a very cheap rate.
All you have to do is to send out the excess that you don’t use and have it returned to your home from the grid.
So, how does it all work? The system tracks the amount of energy that flows and ensures that you are well compensated for it.
If you take a closer look at this system, you will realize that it increases the amount of money that you save, allowing your panels to easily pay themselves off.
There is only one problem when it comes to net metering in Louisiana. It is not an obligation.
This has proven to be quite a hurdle because utilities can set their prices below the regular retail rate. If you want to avoid this, you can opt for solar battery storage Louisiana.
You can choose to go completely off-grid and set up a backup system to harness the excess energy that you can use when you cannot rely on the sun’s rays.
What Happened to the Louisiana Solar Tax Credit?
Did you know that there was a Louisiana solar tax credit by the state, which offered a whopping 50% tax credit for all new customers? That much, for as long as 8 years, that is, until it was scrapped in 2016, a huge blow to the state’s solar market.3
For a very long time, it is what made solar panel installation a walk in the park, and you can imagine how much savings residents could have made with that coupled with the federal ITC.
50% plus 30% would reduce the cost to almost nothing. Unfortunately, the revenue department stated that the funding ran out, and anyone wanting to install solar panels will have to do so without being backed up by the state’s tax credit.
The program cost Louisiana over $147 million, that is, since it started operating in 2009, but budgeting became an issue because it was otherwise slated to end in the year 2017.
It is cases like this that make experts advise customers to hop onto the Louisiana solar incentives as soon as possible.
The rebates and tax credits can end at any time based on new regulations, and if you want to save some money, you are safer installing panels now when there are several incentives available.
How Do Louisiana Solar Incentives Help Reduce the Cost of Solar Panels in Louisiana?
Everybody is probably thinking about this, why are solar panels so expensive? There are many homeowners like you who are wondering the same thing and wish that there was a way that the cost would be reduced to make installation more affordable.
You are in luck if you are living in Louisiana because there are several Louisiana solar incentives to take advantage of.
For starters, you have the federal solar tax credit, yes, it is available in the rest of the country, but it is still one of the most anticipated incentives for all first-timers.
Thirty percent is quite a lot, and depending on how much it actually costs you, there are chances that you may actually save anything from $5,000 to $9,000, which is a massive boost. To avail of the federal solar incentive, file an accomplish IRS Form 5695 with your Form 1040.17
Apart from the ITC, there is also the HELP loan which helps low-income families acquire panels with little to no money down, and the best part is that the interest rates are pretty great.
Solar loans don’t have to be a burden, and HELP proves just that. Net metering is another crucial way to make long-term savings instead of letting the excess power that your system produces go to waste.
Not forgetting the property taxes, you don’t have to pay more just because you installed solar panels. This ensures that residents don’t see the project as a liability, and it has helped them save quite a lot of money over the years.
There are also local incentives that you can apply for, and you are free to ask your installer about any more that are available.
Which Louisiana Solar Program Is the Best?
Undoubtedly, the federal solar tax credit is what most experts recommend. Even without going for other programs, the incentives help make the installation way more affordable.
Who would want to pass out on potentially getting $9,000 in the form of a tax credit off their installation? Besides, applying online takes only a few minutes, and virtually anyone can apply, even if they are not from Louisiana.
Another incentive that comes highly recommended is the HELP program, especially if you are having challenges with raising the upfront cost of the panels.
It may be the thin line between being able to afford the panels or not for many homes. What makes it even more enticing is that it needs a very small down payment and has some of the lowest interest rates.
Lastly, do not dismiss the net metering program in Louisiana. If your utility company offers an impressive retail rate, you could be on your way to saving more than $10,000 in your long-term savings.
The only challenge when it comes to this incentive is how it is not mandated, making it not as ideal as in other states.
Why Choose Solar Louisiana?
Anyone who has installed solar power will tell you that it is one of the best projects they ever carried out for their home.
There are several upsides to it, and if you are still unsure, maybe these will show you the reason why you should make the switch.
To Reduce Your Energy Bills
Arguably one of the main reasons why homeowners turn to solar is because they want to avoid the hefty energy bills that have been on an upward trend over the years.6 This is one of the key benefits of installing the panels because, finally, you can say bye to the shocking utility bills every month.
With panels, you can start saving as early as day one and by a massive margin over the course of your service life.
To Be Self-Reliant
There is nothing as exciting as being self-reliant when it comes to your power. Imagine finally going off-grid and having a constant power supply even when there is a blackout in the rest of the neighborhood.
You even have the option of supplying the power to the grid if you want to make use of the excess power or simply get a battery and not depend on the grid in any way.
To Increase Your Home’s Value
To answer the question, Does solar increase home value? It is plain to see that installing solar panels is a home improvement project, and as such, it obviously helps your house’s value to go up.
More and more home buyers prefer homes with installed panels because it saves them the hassle. The rate can be as much as 4.1% which is welcome news if you have any plans to resell in the near future.
To Convert to Clean Energy
Did you know that energy is the number one contributor to a household’s carbon footprint? Relying on fossil fuels is gradually becoming a thing of the past as people are getting to realize the adverse effects that it has on the environment.
If you are eco-conscious, you would want to go for alternative power sources.
What is better and more easily accessible to homes than solar power? Besides, the carbon footprint solar panels is way lower than that of fossil fuels.
You don’t have to worry about what happens when the panels are decommissioned and have to be disposed of. Louisiana has several drop-off locations where you can take your old panels and bring them to solar panel recycling facilities.18
How To Find the Best Company for Solar Panels for Home in Louisiana
There are more than 50 solar companies in Louisiana which go to show how fast the solar market is growing. As a result, it can be pretty daunting to decide which one to go for that you are sure will properly handle one of the most important projects for your home.
What you are going for is affordability, reliability, and high-quality products, which makes the decision all the more difficult.
So where do you start? For one, you want to go with reputation, and the best way to check is through referrals and customer reviews.
If there are glowing reviews and customers attest that they were satisfied, it may be a good thing to try out the company for yourself. When you have narrowed down the options to a few, it is now time to make comparisons.
Given that price is a huge factor, you can start with the quotations from each, and if you are sure that the products are of great quality, it will be even easier to make a choice.
One thing you can never compromise on is the certifications the company has received. All the installers must be licensed, and the products must always come with a warranty.
Should You Buy or Lease Solar Panels Louisiana?
Having solar panels on your roof doesn’t really mean that you own them, this is thanks to facilities like solar leasing.
Homeowners have the choice to either foot all the installation costs and own the panels or partner with a company and forfeit ownership.10
You may be stuck in the middle, given that the two have their ups and downsides.
To begin with, consider solar leasing. Here, you enter into a contract with a company, put down little or no money, and have them finance the entire project.
All you have to do is pay for the service at the end of the month, and it can either be a fixed rate (of course lower than your usual monthly bills) or a variable rate depending on exactly how much power you have used.
Alternatively, what most people are aware of, is full panel ownership. Here, you can either pay cash upfront or use a solar/ personal loan, but the entire system fully belongs to you, and you can do whatever you want with it, including applying for solar incentives.
That is the downside to solar leasing because you become disqualified from the programs because the panels don’t belong to you after all.
However, on the plus side, it is cheaper to acquire panels through solar leasing,19 and it is one of the go-to methods for low-income families that cannot pay the initial costs and cannot apply for solar loans. It is now up to you to decide which one is the better option for your home.
How To Pay for Solar Panels in Louisiana
If you have decided to buy solar panels, the next information you may need is how you can pay for them. It all depends on your finances because if you have enough saved up, you can easily go for full payment upfront.
No fees, and no interest, meaning that you can even start saving from day one, and your system will take a shorter time to pay itself off.
But what if you don’t have the cash but want to have the panels installed? There is still some good news since there are several solar and personal loans that could help.
The only downside is that there are interest rates that, if you come to think of it, actually make the installation more expensive, that is, unless you get favorable terms like those of the Louisiana HELP program.
Alternatively, if you don’t have the cash and don’t want to take a loan, you can always go for solar leasing, which is quite popular in various states.
In these contracts, you let the company set up the panels at little or virtually no cost, then you are only expected to pay a small fee at the end of the month, which is what you normally do with utility bills.
Factors To Consider When Installing Solar Panels in Louisiana
Solar panel installation must be a careful decision, not only because it is a pricey home makeover but because it practically changes how your home runs for the next two decades or so.
You wouldn’t want to regret it sometime down the line because you didn’t put the following factor into consideration.
What Does Your Roof Look Like?
Assuming your panels are going on the roof, you want to make sure that there are no repairs needed. Otherwise, you will have to put the cost of roof repair into consideration.
Is Your Roof Shaded?
Make sure that there are no tall buildings or trees all around your house because they will cast shade over your panels and interfere with their performance.
Are You a Renter or Homeowner?
While homeowners usually find the entire process easier, renters have to get the installation approved by their landlords. Sadly, if you are barred from making any alterations to the building, you will have to put the installation on hold.
What Are Your HOA Rules?
Luckily, HOAs in Louisiana generally do not have issues with the setup of solar panels, but still, to be safe, you would rather check the rules first.
How To Get Free Solar Panels Louisiana
Now that you understand the cost of solar panels in Louisiana, you may wonder, How to get solar panels for free?
It would be fantastic if you could receive the panels for free, right? No cost whatsoever; as it would save you tens of thousands of dollars and help you offset your energy bills.
Unfortunately, there are no free solar panels in Louisiana. At least not in the way you think.
You may hear salespeople talking about free solar panels, but what they are actually on about is solar leasing or Power Purchase Agreements.20
These are basically free at the get-go because the solar company sets them up for you at little or virtually no cost.
There is only one catch. They are not completely free because the contract states that you are supposed to pay a fee at the end of every month.2
You have to read that carefully before you sign because some homeowners are tricked into it only to find out that they have to pay up.
Is There a Louisiana Solar Panel Grant?
Still, on the question of whether there are free solar panels, you may wonder whether there are solar panel grants for residential properties.
Unfortunately, Louisiana is yet to provide panel grants for households. However, the HELP solar loans come pretty close because you are saved from the high upfront costs that you would have otherwise incurred, say if you bought in cash.
Luckily, it is welcome news for agricultural producers because there is a countrywide program called the REAP grant (Rural Energy for America Program).
Here, the USDA gives farmers a huge boost by providing panels for their energy needs. If eligible, you will end up saving thousands, that is, if you are an agricultural producer in a rural setting.
What Are the Best Louisiana Solar Incentives?
The best Louisiana solar incentive is the federal solar tax credit. It may not be exclusive to the state since it works in the entire country, but it happens to be the most lucrative out of all the programs currently available.
It offers 30% off the cost of installation, which means quite a lot in terms of savings. But still, the HELP loan and net metering have proven to go a long way to convince more Louisianans to convert to solar power.
How Do Louisiana Solar Rebates Lower the Cost of Solar Panels in Louisiana?
The solar rebates in Louisiana have one thing in common, they all help reduce the payback period of your panels and maximize your savings when it comes to your energy bills.
The only difference is that some are more lucrative than others. But all in all, all the incentives have a massive role to play when it comes to reducing the cost of solar panels in Louisiana.
What Is the State of Louisiana Renewable Energy Regulations?
One of the probable reasons why Louisiana is still kind of lagging behind when it comes to the adoption of solar power is due to the fact that it doesn’t have RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standards.)4
It is mostly to blame because other states are making major strides thanks to implementing it. What is the RPS about, you ask?
Well, this is a regulation that mandates utilities to meet certain goals when it comes to renewable energy. They have to, in one way or another, ensure that a certain percentage of their power comes purely from alternative sources, not fossil fuels.
Therefore, they have no other option but produce renewable energy on their own or buy it from their customers, which you already know as net metering.
Other states are very strict with their RPS, such that if companies fail to adhere, they have to pay heavy fines. To avoid risking that, the utilities have no choice but to promote the growth of renewable energy.
It is unfortunate that Louisiana still doesn’t have that in place, and the result is that the utility companies can set their own rates, most times lower than the market value, which doesn’t seem attractive for solar panel owners.
Are Louisiana Solar Incentives Worth It?
You may ask, are solar panels worth it in Louisiana? And if they are, are the incentives worth the hassle?
The answer to both questions is yes, and there is a long list of reasons why.
Switching to solar panels is not only an excellent financial decision, but it is also the best thing you can do for the planet, easing the pressure off fossil fuels.
Because your panels will likely serve you for as much as 20 years,21 you can imagine how much you will have saved over the course of the entire time.
You don’t have to worry about the upfront costs because you are doing the math will show you just how much you have avoided in terms of utility costs.
Besides, the best part about installing panels is that you can make use of the Louisiana solar incentives. Coupling the federal ITC, HELP loan, net metering, and other local programs, you will be surprised by how cost-effective buying solar panels in Louisiana actually is.
Can you believe that Louisiana offered a 50% solar tax credit for its residents? It is sad that it is no longer in service, which is why you need to make a move as early as now if you want to make more savings during your panel installation.
You don’t want to set up panels when the ITC and other rebates are no longer available because it will take longer for the panels to pay themselves off.
If you want to make a difference in your state, it starts by making the switch to cleaner and more affordable energy.
Thankfully, Louisiana solar incentives are available to make the conversion worthwhile by reducing the cost of solar panels in Louisiana.
References
1Foushee, F. (2023, April 27). Solar Panels in Louisiana, Costs, Tax Breaks, and More. CNET. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from <https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/louisiana-solar-panels/>
2Kelly, S. (2023, May 3). How To Get Free Solar Panels In Louisiana. EcoGen America. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from <https://ecogenamerica.com/free-solar-panels-louisiana/>
3Larino, J. (2016, July 20). Louisiana has no more tax credits for solar owners. NOLA.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from <https://www.nola.com/news/business/louisiana-has-no-more-tax-credits-for-solar-owners/article_20b978c0-16fb-5f2e-9ff2-2481918c4bfa.html>
4DASolar. (2023). Louisiana – Energy tax credit, solar rebates and incentives. DASolar. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from <https://www.dasolar.com/energytaxcredit-rebates-grants/louisiana>
5EnergySage. (2023). Louisiana solar rebates and incentives. EnergySage. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from <https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-rebates-incentives/la/>
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22The Fun Chronicles. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flic.kr/p/2oFY9tH>
23USDA Photo by Lance Cheung. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flic.kr/p/9EpW7d>
24USDA Photo by Lance Cheung. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flic.kr/p/azaP4n>
25USDA Photo by Lance Cheung. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flic.kr/p/pKjq4m>
26Ken Acks. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flic.kr/p/HUTtEZ>
27Credit: Daniel Rubin/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flic.kr/p/YFhWjs>
28Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS. Flickr. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/2gAHmKP <https://flic.kr/p/2gAHmKP>