Louisiana Solar Calculator

Enter your utility and monthly bill — get Louisiana solar savings with hurricane zone panel recommendations, 30% ITC, net metering, and battery backup sizing for storm resilience.

Your Louisiana solar inputs

Monthly electric bill?

Utility company?

System size?

Hurricane zone?

Battery backup?

Louisiana solar estimate

20 × 400W panels (8 kW system)

Recommended size for your bill: 12.4 kW

Monthly usage1,364 kWh/mo

Annual production (LA 4.6 PSH)10,746 kWh/yr

Annual savings (net metering)$1,182/yr

Gross system cost ($2.90/W)$24,000

Hurricane-rated upgrade (IEC 61215 + UL wind)+$800 (ITC eligible)

Federal ITC (30%)-$7,200

State tax creditNone (expired)

Net cost after ITC$16,800

Property tax exemption (5 yr est.)$638

Payback period14.2 yrs

25-year savings$29,550

Hurricane zone: Require IEC 61215 hail-rated panels and UL 61730 / UL 2703 wind-rated racking (130+ mph). Ask your installer for wind-zone certification. The hurricane upgrade cost qualifies for the 30% federal ITC.

Louisiana's state solar tax credit expired in 2015 and has not been renewed. The 30% federal ITC and net metering are the primary incentives. Louisiana's property tax exemption applies for 5 years only. 25-year ROI remains positive despite low $0.10-0.11/kWh rates.

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your bill and select your utility

Louisiana has three main electric utilities: Entergy Louisiana serves the largest territory including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and southeastern Louisiana at around $0.11/kWh; SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power Company, an AEP subsidiary) serves Shreveport and the northwestern corner of the state at around $0.10/kWh; and Cleco serves the central Louisiana region including Alexandria, Natchitoches, and Pineville at around $0.10/kWh. Select your utility to calibrate the rate accurately.

Hurricane zone considerations — required for coastal LA

Southern and coastal Louisiana sit in one of the most active hurricane corridors in North America. Hurricane-zone solar installations require panels rated to IEC 61215 (hail impact) and racking rated to UL 61730 or UL 2703 wind standards — typically certified to withstand 130+ mph winds. This adds approximately $800 to the installation cost compared to standard racking, but it is essential insurance in Zone 3 and higher. The hurricane upgrade cost is fully included in the 30% federal ITC calculation. Require written certification from your installer that the system meets wind zone requirements for your parish.

Battery storage for hurricane resilience

Hurricane Ida (2021) left parts of Louisiana without power for 2-4 weeks. Solar panels alone shut off during grid outages for safety. Solar plus battery provides backup power when the grid fails — powering refrigeration, fans, phone charging, and medical equipment during extended outages. In Louisiana, battery storage is primarily a resilience investment rather than a pure financial decision. The 30% ITC applies to the battery when installed with solar, reducing the net cost significantly.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ Electricity Rate Annual Production = System kW × 1000 × 4.6 PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency ÷ 1000 Annual Savings = Annual Production × Retail Rate (LA has net metering) Hurricane Upgrade = $800 if hurricane zone (IEC 61215 + UL wind racking) Gross Cost = System kW × 1000 × $2.90/W + Hurricane Upgrade + Battery ($14,000 if added) Federal ITC = Gross Cost × 30% Net Cost = Gross Cost − Federal ITC Property Tax Savings = System Cost × 0.55% × 5 years (LA exemption duration) Payback = Net Cost ÷ Annual Savings

Louisiana uses 4.6 peak sun hours (PSH) as a statewide average — New Orleans averages 4.7 PSH, Baton Rouge 4.6, Shreveport 4.8, and Lafayette 4.7. Louisiana's PSH is decent but not exceptional — the challenge is low electricity rates ($0.10-0.11/kWh) making payback periods longer than high-rate states. Louisiana no longer has a state solar tax credit — it expired in 2015 and has not been renewed. The 30% federal ITC is the primary financial incentive.

Example

Marie — New Orleans Entergy customer, hurricane zone

Marie is in New Orleans paying $150/month for electricity at $0.11/kWh through Entergy. She wants an 8 kW system with hurricane-rated components given her coastal location.

Monthly bill$150 (Entergy LA, $0.11/kWh)

System8 kW, hurricane-rated (IEC 61215 + UL wind)

LocationNew Orleans, LA (4.7 PSH)

Result

Annual production~10,970 kWh/yr

Annual savings (net metering)~$1,207/yr

Gross system cost ($2.90/W + hurricane)~$24,000

Federal ITC (30%)-$7,200

State tax creditNone (expired)

Net cost after ITC~$16,800

Property tax exemption (5 yr)~$638

Payback period~13.9 years

25-year savings~$30,175

Marie's payback is longer than Sun Belt states with high electricity rates — that's the honest reality of $0.11/kWh electricity. But 25-year savings of $30,000 on a $16,800 net investment is a solid return. If Marie adds battery storage, she gains critical resilience for hurricane season at a cost reduced by 30% ITC — turning the battery investment into both a financial and safety asset. The hurricane-rated panels and racking ensure the system survives the storms it's designed to help during.

FAQ

Does Louisiana have a state solar tax credit? ▼

No — Louisiana's state solar tax credit expired in 2015 and has not been renewed by the state legislature despite multiple proposals. The credit was previously 50% of installation cost up to $12,500 — one of the most generous in the nation when it existed. Louisiana residents now rely on the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as the primary financial incentive, which is available to all US residents. Additionally, Louisiana provides a property tax exemption on solar systems and net metering is required by state law. Check with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for any new state legislation, as incentive programs can be reinstated.

What solar panel ratings do I need in a Louisiana hurricane zone? ▼

For hurricane-zone installations in Louisiana, require panels and racking that meet these certifications: (1) IEC 61215 — tests durability including hail impact (25mm ice ball at 23 m/s); (2) IEC 61730 — safety qualification standard; (3) UL 61730 — US safety standard; (4) UL 2703 — racking and mounting systems standard for wind loads. For South Louisiana (ASCE 7 Wind Zone 3-4), racking should be rated to at least 130 mph, with coastal parishes requiring 150+ mph. Ask your installer for: written wind zone certification letter, panel and racking spec sheets showing certifications, and permit documentation confirming wind zone compliance. After Hurricane Ida, many Louisiana insurers also check for proper wind zone installation — non-compliant systems may be denied claims.

Does Louisiana have net metering? ▼

Yes — Louisiana law requires utilities to offer net metering to residential solar customers (Louisiana R.S. 45:301-315). Entergy Louisiana, SWEPCO, and Cleco must credit excess solar generation at the retail electricity rate. Credits accumulate on your bill monthly and roll over — any remaining credit at year-end may be carried forward. Louisiana's net metering applies to systems up to 25 kW for residential customers, covering all standard residential installations. Municipal utilities and cooperatives are not required to offer net metering under the same law, though many do. Confirm current net metering terms with your specific utility before installation, as rate structures can be reviewed periodically.

How does Louisiana's property tax exemption work for solar? ▼

Louisiana provides a 5-year property tax exemption for solar energy systems under Louisiana R.S. 47:4331. The value added to your home by a solar installation is excluded from your property assessment for 5 years from installation. After 5 years, the exemption expires and the solar value is included in your assessment. Louisiana's average property tax rate is about 0.55% — on a $23,000 solar system, this exemption is worth approximately $127/year or $635 over 5 years. This is more limited than states offering permanent exemptions, but still meaningful. The exemption is claimed through your parish assessor's office using the appropriate exemption forms.

Is solar worth it in Louisiana given low electricity rates and hurricanes? ▼

Yes — Louisiana solar is financially positive over 25 years despite low rates and higher installation requirements. The case for Louisiana solar: (1) 30% federal ITC reduces upfront cost substantially; (2) Net metering provides full retail credit for all solar production; (3) Louisiana gets decent 4.6 PSH sunshine — not exceptional but solid; (4) Hurricane resilience — with battery storage, solar provides backup power during extended outages from storms like Ida (2021) or Katrina (2005); (5) Solar adds home value and protects against future electricity rate increases; (6) Louisiana electricity rates, while low today, have risen 25-30% over the past decade. The key trade-off: longer payback periods (12-16 years) compared to high-rate states, but positive long-term ROI with significant resilience benefits.

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