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The state of solar in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge experiences around 214 sunny days per year,^*BestPlaces: Climate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/louisiana/baton_rouge (July 2021) making it one of the best cities in the U.S. for solar power. Despite its many days of sunlight, the Solar Energy Industries Association (S.E.I.A.) ranks Louisiana 38th in the U.S. for solar power.^*SEIA: Illinois Solar: https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/louisiana-solar (July 2021) On the upside, Baton Rouge has several attractive solar incentives and rebates that reduce the cost of solar system installation for a consumer.

How much solar energy does Baton Rouge produce?

West Baton Rouge hosts one of the largest solar facilities in Louisiana. It’s a 560-acre solar farm with about 197,000 solar panels.^*The Advocate: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_62aeedda-b... (August 2019) The plant generates around 50 MW of electricity, which is enough to power 9,600 homes. Besides the solar farm, many Baton Rouge homes and businesses have their own solar panels. For example, the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge has solar panels that generate about 1.3 MW of electricity.^*The Advocate: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_9f085332-9... (July 2018)

What are the advantages of going solar in Baton Rouge?

Thanks to Louisiana’s natural gas reserves, Baton Rouge has one of the lowest electricity rates in the U.S. However, burning years of fossil fuels for electricity has come at a high cost to the environment. Solar power is not only more eco-friendly but can also save you money. Baton Rouge’s solar energy rates are lower than grid power rates, so you can save up to $6,080 in 20 years if you switch to solar today.^*EnergySage: https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/la/east-baton-rou... (July 2021)

Besides saving the environment—and your wallet—installing solar panels can increase your home’s value by up to $15,000. Since solar panels are property-tax exempt in Louisiana, you won’t have to pay for the increased value to your home on your property taxes.

How much does solar cost in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?

• Quality of the installed solar system

• The installation company’s rates

• Available roof space

• The angle of the roof

• Weather

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country. In Louisiana, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,000 to $14,450, or in other words from $2.60 to $2.89 per watt—and that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

If you take advantage of Baton Rouge's many solar incentives, the cost of solar system installation drops by about 60%. The most significant of these incentives are:

• Federal Solar Tax Credit: Homeowners who purchase their system as opposed to leasing it, can get a tax credit of up to 26% of the total cost of the solar installation.^*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

• Home Energy Loan Program (H.E.L.P.): This low-interest loan offered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources can offer homeowners up to $12,000 for their solar installation.

• Louisiana Net Metering: While Louisiana’s net metering policy isn’t one of the best, it still allows homeowners to get paid for any excess solar energy their system produces.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Baton Rouge?

Solar systems of varying qualities are available at a range of prices. To find the best solar array for your budget and energy needs, it’s best to work with an experienced solar contractor.

Be sure to consult with a company that can provide you with the highest-quality solar system for your home or business. You should receive a free consultation and custome design before signing a contract of any kind. You should also consider how the solar system will impact your property value and complement your home’s overall aesthetics. A reputable solar energy company should also help you access every available solar incentive and rebate to help you reduce installation costs.

Get started now by requesting your free consultation with SunPower. We'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.