Solar panels in Louisiana: cost & savings
Louisiana averages 4.6 peak sun hours/day and $0.12/kWh electricity. Here's what solar looks like for a typical home.
Typical Louisiana home estimate
| Average electricity rate | $0.12/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 4.6 |
| Recommended system size | 8 kW (~20 panels) |
| System cost (before incentives) | $24,122 |
| Cost after 30% federal tax credit | $16,885 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.4 years |
| 25-year net savings | $27,298 |
Incentives: Net metering available. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state. Retail-rate net metering is broadly available.
How Louisiana compares to the rest of the US
Two numbers drive solar economics: your electricity rate and how much sun your roof gets. Here's where Louisiana stands against the national average.
| Electricity rate | $0.12/kWh (28% lower than the $0.17 US avg) |
| Daily peak sun hours | 4.6 (3% more than the 4.5 US avg) |
| Net metering | Broadly available |
Louisiana enjoys plenty of sun but relatively cheap electricity. The abundant sunshine means a smaller system can cover your usage, though the lower rates mean each kWh you save is worth a bit less — so the bigger your monthly bill, the better solar pencils out.
Calculate your own Louisiana savings
Adjust the numbers to match your actual electric bill:
Estimate your solar savings
Two quick inputs. We use your state's real electricity rate and sun hours.
Is solar worth it in Louisiana?
With Louisiana's electricity at $0.12/kWh and 4.6 daily sun hours, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 11.4 years and produces an estimated $27,298 in net savings over its 25-year life, after applying the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit. The higher your bill and the more sun your roof gets, the faster the payback.
These figures are estimates. Get free quotes from local Louisiana installers to see real pricing for your roof.
Louisiana solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need in Louisiana?
A typical Louisiana home needs roughly 20 standard 400-watt panels (about a 8 kW system) to offset its electricity use, given Louisiana's 4.6 daily peak sun hours. A higher bill or shadier roof pushes that number up.
Does Louisiana have net metering?
Yes — Louisiana broadly offers net metering, so the excess power your panels send to the grid credits your bill and improves your payback. Net metering available. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state.
What's the payback period for solar in Louisiana?
For a typical $108/month bill, the estimated payback is about 11.4 years, after which the power your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining ~14 years of the system's life.