Solar by State / Louisiana
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in Louisiana in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to Louisiana: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
Louisiana Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 13.5¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1400 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Mixed / utility-dependent — export ~5¢/kWh |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | None |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | No |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in Louisiana
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with Louisiana pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
Louisiana FAQ
Does Louisiana have a solar tax credit in 2026?
Louisiana does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in Louisiana?
Louisiana uses a utility-dependent mix with exports around 5¢/kWh. This means exports earn very little, so self-consumption is essential.
Is solar worth it in Louisiana after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 2.80/W installed cost and 13.5¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in Louisiana has an estimated payback of about 17.3 years (rank #46 of 51 states). That is a long payback — solar is hard to justify unless strong state incentives apply to your situation.
Compare Louisiana with Another State
See how Louisiana stacks up against California — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
Popular guides
Is Solar Worth It After the 2026 Tax Credit?
What changed when the federal 25D credit expired.
Read →Solar Panel Cost by State (2026)
How much solar costs in every state this year.
Read →Net Metering vs Net Billing
Why your export credit matters as much as your rate.
Read →