Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Opelousas. A new solar energy system can help you add value to your property, provide a dependable source of power, and decrease your carbon footprint. Making the transition to solar energy can help you save money and shrink your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation providers in Opelousas.
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. In Louisiana, contractors can earn a solar energy endorsement or classification, on their contracting license. To do this, they need to obtain electrical, mechanical, or building endorsements first, then take a written test or verify their certification with North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Check review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from 3–5 solar companies. The quotes should describe all costs and identify the solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy can help lower your energy expenses. Be sure to weigh these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Opelousas has a capacity of 9.9 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,800 per kilowatt; the average Opelousas homeowners spends roughly $26,436 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100%
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Opelousas, the average amount someone can save is $1,856 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Opelousas, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 14.2 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to be compensated for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
The answer ultimately depends on your specific situation. You can take advantage of a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to let your insurer know about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
