Home solar in Louisiana: prices, net metering, what is left in 2026
What Louisiana homeowners pay for solar in 2026, how the state's export rules work, and which incentives survived - verified against state sources, town by town.
Installed home solar in Louisiana compares against the U.S. marketplace average of about $2.58 a watt - roughly $30,960 for 12 kW.
The 30% federal solar credit ended December 31, 2025 - Louisiana installations completed in 2026 get $0 from it.
A home battery in Louisiana runs about $12,000-$16,000 installed, before any state storage incentive.
The honest 2026 answer for Louisiana: solar pays back slower without the 30% credit - paybacks that ran 7-10 years often now run 10-14 - but electricity rates keep rising and hardware is the cheapest it has ever been. The deciding factor is Louisiana's export compensation, covered in the net metering section.
Louisiana rules that decide your payback
| Rule | Louisiana status |
|---|---|
| Export compensation (net metering) | Louisiana no longer offers retail net metering to new customers: per the LPSC, anyone who submitted an interconnection request and/or installed a distributed generation facility after December 31, 2019 pays the full retail rate for all energy purchased from the utility, pays a zero rate for energy self-generated and consumed, and is credited only at Avoided Cost for energy exported to the grid. |
| State incentive | No state-level incentive; utility rebates may apply |
| Sales tax on the system | Not exempt - taxed like any purchase |
| Property tax on added home value | Excluded |
The export credit is not a fixed number: the LPSC sets and publishes an Avoided Cost Rate by Electric Utility every year (2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 tables are posted), so the value of the power you send to the grid is re-set annually and differs by utility.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
What installed solar costs in 2026
| System size | Installed price (marketplace avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,480 | Small roof / low usage |
| 8 kW | $20,640 | Typical starter system |
| 10 kW | $25,800 | Family home with AC |
| 12 kW | $30,960 | Large home / EV charging |
| Home battery (optional) | $12,000-$16,000 | Backup power + self-consumption |
Compare solar quotes for Louisiana
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The 30% federal tax credit is gone for 2026 installations
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (30%) was repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, 2025. Per the IRS, the credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025 - and the IRS counts the installation completion date, not the contract date.
Common questions
Is my roof even suitable for solar?
Three things decide it: orientation (south-facing is best in the U.S., east-west workable), shade (trees or taller buildings across midday hours can sink the math), and roof age (if the shingles have under 10 years left, reroof first - removing and reinstalling panels later costs thousands). Any honest installer assesses all three before quoting a number.
How much does home solar cost in 2026?
The U.S. marketplace average is about $2.58 per watt installed - roughly $15,500 for a 6 kW system and $31,000 for 12 kW, before any state incentives. Quotes meaningfully above that level deserve a written explanation of what justifies the premium.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit was repealed effective for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, per the IRS. Only systems finished by the end of 2025 qualified. State-level incentives are separate and some survive - check the state page in this guide.
Is solar still worth it without the federal credit?
It depends mostly on your state's export rules and your daytime usage. Paybacks lengthened by roughly a third when the credit ended, but rising electricity rates and record-cheap hardware keep the math workable in states with decent export compensation - and marginal where exports pay avoided cost only.
What is net metering and why does it decide everything?
It is the rule for how your utility credits electricity you export. Full retail net metering credits exports at the same rate you pay - the grid works like a free battery. Net billing or avoided-cost rules pay far less per exported kWh, which lengthens payback and strengthens the case for a home battery.
How do I check if a solar quote is fair?
Divide the total price by the system's wattage. The U.S. marketplace average is about $2.58 per watt installed; $2.30-3.00 covers most fair quotes depending on roof complexity. Above that, ask exactly what you are paying extra for - in writing.
Compare solar quotes for Louisiana
These platforms collect bids from licensed installers so you can compare against the same spec. Prices come from installers, not from this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
Prices by city
Abbeville · Abita Springs · Addis · Albany · Alexandria · Amite City · Anacoco · Angie · Arcadia · Arnaudville · Ashland · Athens · Atlanta · Baker · Baldwin · Ball · Basile · Baskin · Bastrop · Baton Rouge · Belcher · Benton · Bernice · Berwick · Bienville · Blanchard · Bogalusa · Bonita · Bossier City · Boyce · Breaux Bridge · Broussard · Brusly · Bryceland · Bunkie · Calvin · Campti · Cankton · Carencro · Castor · Central · Chataignier · Chatham · Cheneyville · Choudrant · Church Point · Clarence · Clarks · Clayton · Clinton · Colfax · Collinston · Columbia · Converse · Cotton Valley · Cottonport · Coushatta · Covington · Creola · Crowley · Cullen · DeQuincy · DeRidder · Delcambre · Delhi · Delta · Denham Springs · Dixie Inn · Dodson · Donaldsonville · Downsville · Doyline · Dry Prong · Dubach · Dubberly · Duson · East Hodge · Edgefield · Elizabeth · Elton · Epps · Erath · Eros · Estherwood · Eunice · Evergreen · Farmerville · Fenton · Ferriday · Fisher · Florien · Folsom · Fordoche · Forest · Forest Hill · Franklin · Franklinton · French Settlement · Georgetown · Gibsland · Gilbert · Gilliam · Glenmora · Golden Meadow · Goldonna · Gonzales · Grambling · Gramercy · Grand Cane · Grand Coteau · Grand Isle · Grayson · Greensburg · Greenwood · Gretna · Grosse Tete · Gueydan · Hall Summit · Hammond · Harahan · Harrisonburg · Haughton · Haynesville · Heflin · Henderson · Hessmer · Hodge · Homer · Hornbeck · Hosston · Houma · Ida · Independence · Iota · Iowa · Jackson · Jamestown · Jean Lafitte · Jeanerette · Jena · Jennings · Jonesboro · Jonesville · Junction City · Kaplan · Keachi · Kenner · Kentwood · Kilbourne · Killian · Kinder · Krotz Springs · Lafayette · Lake Arthur · Lake Charles · Lake Providence · Lecompte · Leesville · Leonville · Lillie · Lisbon · Livingston · Livonia · Lockport · Logansport · Longstreet · Loreauville · Lucky · Lutcher · Madisonville · Mamou · Mandeville · Mangham · Mansfield · Mansura · Many · Maringouin · Marion · Marksville · Martin · Maurice · McNary · Melville · Mer Rouge · Mermentau · Merryville · Minden · Monroe · Montgomery · Montpelier · Mooringsport · Moreauville · Morgan City · Morganza · Morse · Mound · Mount Lebanon · Napoleonville · Natchez · Natchitoches · New Iberia · New Llano · New Orleans · New Roads · Newellton · Noble · North Hodge · Norwood · Oak Grove · Oak Ridge · Oakdale · Oberlin · Oil City · Olla · Opelousas · Palmetto · Parks · Patterson · Pearl River · Pine Prairie · Pineville · Pioneer · Plain Dealing · Plaquemine · Plaucheville · Pleasant Hill · Pollock · Ponchatoula · Port Allen · Port Barre · Port Vincent · Powhatan · Provencal · Quitman · Rayne · Rayville · Reeves · Richmond · Richwood · Ridgecrest · Ringgold · Robeline · Rodessa · Rosedale · Roseland · Rosepine · Ruston · Saline · Sarepta · Scott · Shongaloo · Shreveport · Sibley · Sicily Island · Sikes · Simmesport · Simpson · Simsboro · Slaughter · Slidell · Sorrento · South Mansfield · Spearsville · Springfield · Springhill · St. Francisville · St. Gabriel · St. Joseph · St. Martinville · Stanley · Sterlington · Stonewall · Sulphur · Sun · Sunset · Tallulah · Tangipahoa · Thibodaux · Tickfaw · Tullos · Turkey Creek · Urania · Varnado · Vidalia · Vienna · Ville Platte · Vinton · Vivian · Walker · Washington · Waterproof · Welsh · West Monroe · Westlake · Westwego · White Castle · Wilson · Winnfield · Winnsboro · Wisner · Woodworth · Youngsville · Zachary · Zwolle