Choosing the right solar installer in Louisiana can feel overwhelming. There are so many questions to answer before making the decision, you can spend hours researching. That’s why we’ve simplified it for you.
Our guide highlights Louisiana’s top-rated solar companies, combining Solar Power Systems expert insights with feedback from locals who’ve made the switch.
No need to surf the web looking for information crumbs to have the big picture. Years in business, reviews from real customers, online reputation, panel brands, warranty, social media overview, and more – we have it all. The hard work is done to help you make the right decision.
We prioritize companies committed to long-term service and reliability. Here’s our list of Louisiana’s most trusted solar installers:
JEH Solar review 105 Henderson Rd, Lafayette, 70508, LA, US
JEH Solar review 105 Henderson Rd, Lafayette, 70508, LA, US
JEH Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With a read more…
Solar Alternatives review 5520 Johnston St, Lafayette LA, 70503
Solar Alternatives is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 3 states. With a read more…
Solar Alternatives review 5804 River Oaks Rd S.,New Orleans, LA 70123
Solar Alternatives is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 3 states. With a read more…
South Coast Solar review 2605 Ridgelake Dr, Metairie, LA 70002, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, South Coast read more…
Solar Alternatives review 5250 Galaxie Dr, Jackson MS, 39206
Solar Alternatives is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 3 states. With a read more…
Solar Installation Cost Louisiana
The first question most Louisiana homeowners ask is about solar panels prices. Understanding how much do solar panels cost and what drives those numbers helps you plan your budget. The cost of solar panels depends on your system size, the equipment brand, and your installer’s rates.
Pricing sits at $2.52 per watt installed. A 5-kilowatt system—pretty standard for homes here—runs $12,621 before any rebates or credits. When people ask “how much does it cost to install solar panels in Louisiana?” the answer typically ranges from $10,728 to $14,514 based on who you hire and what residential solar panels you pick.
What You’ll Pay for Different System Sizes
| System Size | Upfront Cost | After Federal Tax Credit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $7,573 | $5,301 | ||
| 4 kW | $10,097 | $7,068 | ||
| 5 kW | $12,621 | $8,835 | ||
| 6 kW | $15,145 | $10,602 | ||
| 7 kW | $17,669 | $12,368 | ||
| 8 kW | $20,193 | $14,135 | ||
| 9 kW | $22,718 | $15,902 | ||
| 10 kW | $25,242 | $17,669 | ||
| Pricing Disclaimer: The solar panel prices shown are estimates based on data collected from online sources as of October 2025. Actual costs may vary based on your location, system specifications, and installer. | ||||
Around here, 5 to 7 kilowatts covers most households. How much you need comes down to your power bill, roof size, and what you want from solar. These prices cover the whole job—panels, wiring, labor, permits, everything.
Louisiana Solar Incentives and Rebates
A few programs help cut the cost. These can shave thousands off your final bill.
Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC)
The feds give back 30% of whatever you spend on solar. You claim it on your tax return, and it reduces what you owe the IRS dollar for dollar.
Here’s what matters: December 31, 2025 is the cutoff. The federal solar tax credit expires after this date due to the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law on July 4, 2025.
On a 5-kilowatt setup, you’re getting $3,786 back. You still pay full price up front, then recover that money when you file taxes.
Quick example:
- What you pay the installer: $12,621
- Tax credit (30%): $3,786
- Actual cost after credit: $8,835
Louisiana Solar Property Tax Exemption
Your property taxes won’t budge when you add solar. The state exempts the whole system from tax assessments, even though panels usually bump home values up about 7%.
Louisiana’s property tax rate is 0.5%. This exemption saves roughly $90 every year—not huge, but it adds up over a decade or two.
Net Metering and Solar Buyback Programs
Here’s where Louisiana disappoints compared to other states. No statewide net metering requirement exists.
Entergy and SWEPCO do buy excess power from homeowners with solar. Problem is, buyback rates are significantly lower than what they charge for power you buy from them.
That’s a fraction of retail price. Using what you generate beats selling it back cheap. This is why sizing matters so much in Louisiana, and why batteries start looking smarter than in states with better net metering.
Solar Battery Incentives
No state programs exist for batteries. The federal credit does cover them for installations completed by December 31, 2025—but only if installed alongside solar panels or if you already have a solar system. After 2025, standalone batteries will no longer qualify for residential tax credits.
A decent battery costs $15,000 minimum. That qualifies for about $4,500 back through the federal credit if installed before the deadline. Given how little utilities pay for excess power here, storing it yourself makes more financial sense. Plus you’ve got backup when storms knock out the grid—happens often enough in Louisiana.
Specific Considerations for Louisiana Solar
Solar Irradiance and Climate Benefits
Louisiana gets enough sun for solid solar production. Average 4.5 to 5 peak sun hours daily down here in the south, which keeps panels generating steadily.
Hot, humid weather year-round means panels work every season. Summer heat does drop efficiency a bit, but modern equipment handles it fine. Clouds and rain get factored into projections already.
Hurricanes are the real consideration. Good installers know this and bolt panels down to withstand serious wind. Check if your homeowners insurance covers solar equipment against storm damage—most policies can be extended to include it.
Permitting and Interconnection Process
Anyone installing solar in Louisiana needs contractor licensing from the state board. Don’t skip checking this.
You’ll need:
- Building permits from your parish or city
- Electrical permits
- Utility approval to connect
- Final inspections before turning the system on
Louisiana enacted Act No. 279, which took effect on August 1, 2025. These changes primarily address large-scale solar facilities, renewable energy batteries, and onshore wind projects under state permitting authority. Home systems go through local permitting, which changes parish to parish.
Entergy and SWEPCO each have their own approval process. Both are established, but timelines vary between them.
Timeline Expectations
Typical Installation Timeframe
Count on 2 to 4 months from signing papers to flipping the switch. Here’s how it breaks down:
Design Phase (1-2 weeks):
Someone comes out, looks at your roof and electric bills, and designs something specific to your house. You’ll see options for inverters, batteries, all the equipment choices.
Permits (2-6 weeks):
Once you approve the design, they handle paperwork. Building permits, electrical permits, utility applications—all of it. How long this takes depends on your parish office and which utility you have.
Installation (1-3 days):
The actual work goes fast. One to three days usually, unless your roof is complicated or the system is big.
Inspections (2-4 weeks):
Inspectors from the parish and the utility check everything. Then the utility processes your connection agreement so you can legally send power to the grid.
Factors That May Affect Timeline
Some things slow it down:
- Parish offices work at different speeds
- Utilities process paperwork faster or slower
- Your roof might need work first, or your electrical panel might need upgrading
- Weather delays happen
- Busy season means installers are booked out further
Want to beat that December 31st deadline? Start by September. Gives you cushion for problems.
Is It Worth Going Solar in Louisiana?
Depends on your situation, but plenty of Louisiana homeowners come out ahead.
Pay cash for an average system and you’ll save around $24,126 over 25 years. That accounts for what you spend, the federal credit, current electric rates, and those weak buyback programs.
Things to Think About:
Electric Rates: Louisiana’s average residential electricity rate is approximately $0.11 to $0.13 per kilowatt-hour, varying by location and utility provider. Louisiana uses more power than most states because of constant AC use. Higher consumption actually helps solar math work better.
Buyback Rates: Low buyback rates compared to retail electricity prices mean sizing your system right matters more here. Going bigger doesn’t automatically mean more savings like it does in states with real net metering.
Tax Credit Deadline: That 30% federal credit is the biggest money saver available, and 2025 is the last year for it. Clock’s ticking.
Batteries: They make more sense in Louisiana than a lot of places. You keep all your power instead of selling it for peanuts. And you’ve got backup during outages, which happen regularly here. Remember though—the federal tax credit for batteries also expires December 31, 2025.
Payback Period
Plan on 10 to 14 years to make your money back. Where you land depends on:
- What your system costs
- Which incentives you get
- What the utility pays for excess
- How much power you use
- Whether you add a battery
Who Should Consider Solar
Makes sense if you:
- Pay over $150 monthly for electricity
- Plan to stay put 10+ years
- Have a south-facing roof without much shade
- Have a utility that buys back power
- Can install before 2025 ends
- Want backup power and independence
When to Skip It
Probably not worth it if:
- Your utility won’t buy back any excess power
- You need a new roof soon
- Trees or buildings shade your roof heavily
- Your electric bills are low already
- You’re moving in 5 to 7 years
Get quotes from several installers. They can look at your actual roof and bills and tell you what makes sense for your house specifically. Every situation is different.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save Me in Louisiana?
Finding out how much you can save on solar in Louisiana is not a straightforward answer. It depends on several factors, including the solar billing of your utility company, the size of a potential solar system on your roof, and your household’s energy consumption. While most solar installers will try to cover all your electricity needs, the actual savings will depend on your home’s unique conditions. To get a personal estimate of how much you could potentially save by going solar, fill out a simple form on our website, use Google’s Project Sunroof solar savings calculator, or consult with a couple of local solar installation companies for a personalized savings calculation.
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Solar Financing Explained
You can pay for solar panels in a couple of ways:
- Cash
- Installer solar loans
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar Leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
First, there is a cash purchase, which in most cases provides the best price and long-term savings, but the upfront payment is not always what you can afford. If you want to own your solar panels and don’t have about $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank, you’ll have to choose solar panel financing.
You can consider a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, or a solar loan offered by the solar company. However, keep in mind that these loans come with interest and additional fees. Solar loans often are tied to dealer fees, which can increase the total cost of your solar system by 20% or more in exchange for a lower interest rate. To ensure you get the best possible deal, it is wise to compare the dealer fees and interest rates offered by different installers. This way, you can make an informed decision based on the most favorable terms available.
Some companies offer solar leases or PPAs that require zero upfront cost. But in such case, you don’t own solar panels and you are not eligible for any solar rebates or the federal tax credit. And, because you have to pay the solar company monthly, your total solar savings will be lower. Ask for detailed savings calculations from a solar installer to decide on the best option. In most cases, you will still be paying less for electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Rank Solar Installers
Our main goal is to provide homeowners like you with top-rated solar companies you can trust. Our solar experts analyzed thousands of local and nationwide installers to get to the bottom of who is best in a specific location. The solar company ranking methodology is based on gathering input from homeowner surveys, consulting with industry experts, and extensive research into the solar energy market. Here are the things we believe are the most important to consider when choosing a solar company.
In short, here’s how we pick top installers:
– Company that has been in business for over five years as it indicates stability, reliability, and successful installations.
– Local solar companies over big national ones covering multiple areas as they can provide better personal attention and know more about the solar needs and regulations in their area.
– Companies with hands-on experience and a wealth of projects under their belt are more likely to deliver efficient and timely installations that cater to specific customer needs.
– Companies that handle their own installations instead of outsourcing to subcontractors ensure a higher caliber of work and nurture a culture of excellence and accountability in service.
– Select a company that has a good overall reputation and reviews on sites like SolarReviews, BBB, Google Maps, and Yelp.
– The company is licensed, insured, and holds relevant certifications such as NABCEP certification.
– Companies that offer a wide selection of high-quality solar panels and related products and work with reputable brands.
– Companies that provide flexible financing options such as solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
– Installers that provide substantial workmanship warranties and system performance guarantees.
Read more:
Our Methodology
What Made Us Choose Sources for Expert Score?
How We Classify Solar Installers: What Matters Most?
What to Look for In a Solar Company
To ensure that you partner with a great provider that can meet your needs of going solar, look for the following:
– Make sure the solar installer has industry-standard certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), indicating that they meet the gold standard in renewable energy installations. Also, verify if they are licensed, bonded, and insured for residential solar projects in your area. If subcontractors are involved, check their credentials as well.
– Prioritize installers with a proven track record in solar installations, ideally with at least 5+ years of experience. Ask about the number of systems they’ve installed and their project portfolio. A competent installer should openly discuss the solar panels, inverters, and batteries they use if they help to take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, and warranty coverage specifics.
– Your installer should be forthcoming about the installation process and answer any questions you might have, like “How many solar panels will I need? Why?”, “Can you give me a detailed cost breakdown based on my energy consumption?”, “What solar panel brands do you install? Why?”, etc.. They should also be transparent about their use of subcontractors, detailing their roles and how their work will be supervised.
– A preliminary evaluation of your roof’s condition is the groundwork. The installer should advise on necessary repairs to ensure it’s ready for solar panel installation and clarify responsibilities for any potential roof damage during the process. Discuss aesthetic concerns, such as the placement of solar panels around roof vents or the possibility of relocating vents for a more visually appealing setup.
– Check the installer’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials. They should be able to connect you with past customers willing to share their experiences. Personal recommendations from friends or neighbors who’ve gone solar can also be invaluable.
– Solar installation costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is advisable. Experienced installers will adjust their offers to your home’s specifics—size, energy needs, etc. For an objective cost comparison, calculate the price per watt of the proposed system, giving you a standardized basis to evaluate different quotes.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Always choose a local solar company over a big national corporation. Small local companies that operate in a distinct local area are better than multi-state and national solar companies and large corporations. It’s the small local companies who get the best reviews on our website, and it’s the national multistate companies who get very poor reviews. Why so, you may ask?
Solar is a local service business, for the most part, and it is extremely difficult to run a solar company and offer good customer service to many locations from a central office.
Local ones have a community connection, they know better the incentives and regulations in the area, and they simply care more about you than large businesses trying to get into your pocket and overprice you. While multi-state solar companies might try to convince you by financial stability and “quality of installations across different locations”, try to choose a local company that meets all your criteria.
What Does a Solar Installation Look Like?
Here’s how a solar system installation will look like once the design for your solar system is approved:
– First, a solar installer should estimate your energy needs, and analyze your annual and monthly electricity consumption, which you can find on utility bills measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Such calculations will help to understand potential savings, payback period, and the system size you need.
– A home energy audit is something every experienced solar company would do to understand the size and output needed.
– Next question on the list: are your house’s roof conditions good enough for installation? A solar installer should carefully inspect the roof and ensure its conditions and orientation are good to go, how and where to better place solar panels and wire the system.
– Next, they will design the system and show you how it’s going to look.
You will usually need a permit to install solar panels from your local authorities, and the solar provider should handle all the paperwork.
– The entire process might take up to 3 months depending on the state and local regulations, while the system installation is usually up to 3 days (might take longer depending on roof conditions and system complexity).
– The installation crew should always clean up and remove any debris, leaving your house in good condition.
– When the system is installed, it should be checked and approved by local municipality inspection.
– If you’re connecting your system to the grid, it has to be wired to your local utility system. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company, which will also want to inspect your system to ensure it’s following utility guidelines. Some installers may help you with this step, so always ask. Once you have all the permits, your system will be up and running, powering your home with solar.
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