Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in New Orleans, Louisiana. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A leading regional solar and battery storage installer with a strong focus on Louisiana. They are known for high-quality design, expert installation, and deep knowledge of local incentives and financing. They handle projects from consultation to maintenance.
A highly reputable, locally-owned company that specializes in both grid-tied and off-grid systems. They are a certified LG Solar installer and are recognized for their customer service and educational approach, helping homeowners understand their solar investment.
A unique provider with a strong social mission focused on making solar accessible to low- and middle-income families. They are known for their lease-based model that includes free energy efficiency upgrades, making them a distinct and impactful player in the New Orleans market.
The home solar market in New Orleans is robust and highly competitive, driven by high humidity, intense sun, and some of the highest electricity rates in the country. The market features a mix of large national installers and strong, entrenched local companies that have deep community ties and understand the specific challenges of the local climate and infrastructure, such as hurricane resilience. The average quality of installers is high, with many holding NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certifications. Competition is fierce, which benefits consumers through competitive pricing and enhanced service offerings. Typical pricing for a residential system before incentives ranges from $15,000 to $35,000, heavily dependent on system size and equipment. Homeowners can significantly reduce this cost through the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Louisiana's state tax credit. The market is also seeing rapid growth in battery storage integration due to the region's vulnerability to power outages from storms.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with New Orleans regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in New Orleans, Louisiana.
New Orleans' abundant sunshine is excellent for solar production, but high heat can slightly reduce panel efficiency. More critically, systems must be engineered for extreme weather. Reputable local installers use hurricane-rated mounting (often rated for 150+ mph winds) and corrosion-resistant materials to handle humidity and salt air, ensuring long-term durability and compliance with local building codes.
After the 30% federal tax credit, a typical 6-8 kW system in New Orleans often costs between $15,000 and $25,000. Louisiana offers a valuable state tax credit of 50% of the first $25,000 of system cost (capped at $12,500), and Entergy New Orleans customers benefit from net metering, which credits you for excess power sent to the grid. These incentives significantly reduce the net cost and payback period.
The full process typically takes 2 to 4 months. This timeline includes system design, securing permits from the City of New Orleans Safety & Permits Department, scheduling the installation (which itself takes 1-3 days), and finally, the crucial "Permission to Operate" inspection and meter swap by Entergy New Orleans. Delays can occur during peak seasons or due to permit review backlogs.
Prioritize installers with extensive local experience, proper Louisiana licensing (as a Residential Contractor or Electrical Contractor), and a strong portfolio of local installations. They should be intimately familiar with New Orleans' specific permitting process, historic district guidelines if applicable, and Entergy's interconnection requirements. Always verify they carry worker's compensation and liability insurance, which is critical for your protection.
Standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut off during a power outage for safety, preventing backfeed to utility workers. To have power during outages, you must pair your panels with a solar battery storage system (like a Tesla Powerwall or similar). This is a particularly valuable consideration in New Orleans for backup power, and your installer can design a system that keeps critical circuits running when the grid is down.