Keep the Hub City green with clean energy

The state of solar in Lafayette, LA

Lafayette, LA, has about 217 sunny days per year. That’s 12 days a year higher than the U.S. average,^*BestPlaces: Climate in Lafayette, Louisiana: https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/louisiana/lafayette: (July 2021) making Lafayette ideal for solar energy. Despite its abundant sunlight, only 0.36% of Louisiana’s electricity currently comes from solar, so the city’s residents and business owners have significant opportunity for the growth of solar energy usage.

On the upside, getting a commercial or residential solar system in Lafayette is easy, and the city offers several incentives and rebates that reduce the cost of going solar. Even better, the cost of solar systems in Lafayette and the rest of Louisiana have dropped by 43% over the last five years.^*SEIA: Illinois Solar: https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/louisiana-solar (July 2021)

How much solar energy does Lafayette produce?

Several homes and businesses in Lafayette have their own solar arrays. Other solar power consumers get their power from the grid. The Lafayette Utilities System plans for solar power to account for up to 60% of the city’s electricity by 2023.^*Daily Advertiser: https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/2020/12/08/lafayette-util... (December 2020)

What are the advantages of going solar in Lafayette?

Switching to solar power in Lafayette comes with several advantages. First, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to the worldwide effort to slow down global warming. Second, solar energy in Lafayette costs less than getting your electricity from the grid. If you switch to solar today, you could save $5,819 over the next 20 years.^*EnergySage: https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/la/lafayette-coun... (June 2021)

Besides saving you money, installing solar panels on your home can increase your property’s value by thousands of dollars. For instance, installing a 5 kW system could increase your property value by up to $17,000. Since solar panels are property-tax exempt in Louisiana, you won’t have to pay additional property taxes for your home’s increased value .

How much does solar cost in Lafayette?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Quality of the solar panels

• Number of solar panels needed

• Weather

• Installer’s rates

• Angle and type of roof

• Property’s energy needs

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 $12,400 to $14,100, or in other words from $2.48 to $2.82 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

If you apply solar incentives, the cost of going solar in Lafayette can drop by as much as 50% to 60%. Some of the most accessible incentives include:

• 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 Lafayette?

  Switching to solar delivers better returns when you work with a licensed solar company experienced in installing commercial and residential solar panels. You should receive a free consultation and system design before signing a contract.

  After assessing your property and energy needs, a reputable solar company should be able to recommend the most suitable solar array for your building and deliver a high-quality installation in accordance with local energy codes.

  You should also consider how the system with affect your property value and compliment 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.