Solar Panel Calculator for New Orleans, LA
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in New Orleans, LA, using local NREL sunshine data, Louisiana prices and electricity rates.
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New Orleans gets about 5.32 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,479 kWh a year. That ranks #44 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in May and is lowest in Jan.
Sunshine in New Orleans by month
What an 8 kW system makes in New Orleans
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.74 | 744 kWh | $99 |
| Feb | 4.37 | 776 kWh | $103 |
| Mar | 5.55 | 1,064 kWh | $141 |
| Apr | 6.06 | 1,104 kWh | $147 |
| May | 6.46 | 1,192 kWh | $158 |
| Jun | 6.09 | 1,064 kWh | $141 |
| Jul | 5.78 | 1,048 kWh | $139 |
| Aug | 5.64 | 1,032 kWh | $137 |
| Sep | 5.92 | 1,064 kWh | $141 |
| Oct | 5.69 | 1,080 kWh | $143 |
| Nov | 4.73 | 896 kWh | $119 |
| Dec | 3.82 | 768 kWh | $102 |
| Year | 5.32 | 11,832 kWh | $1,570 |
Savings at 13.27¢ per kWh (Louisiana average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $2.31 per watt, the Louisiana average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $9,240 | $785 | 12.1 yrs | $9,253 |
| 6 kW | $13,860 | $1,178 | 12.1 yrs | $13,879 |
| 8 kW | $18,480 | $1,570 | 12.1 yrs | $18,505 |
| 10 kW | $23,100 | $1,963 | 12.1 yrs | $23,132 |
| 12 kW | $27,720 | $2,355 | 12.1 yrs | $27,758 |
How many panels you need in New Orleans
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 4.06 kW | 11 |
| 750 kWh | 6.09 kW | 16 |
| 1,000 kWh | 8.11 kW | 21 |
| 1,500 kWh | 12.17 kW | 31 |
| 2,000 kWh | 16.23 kW | 41 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,479 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in New Orleans?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $18,480 before incentives, saves about $1,570 in its first year and pays back in about 12.1 years.
How many peak sun hours does New Orleans get?
About 5.32 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 3.7 in Jan to 6.5 in May, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in New Orleans?
About 1,479 kWh a year, or 123 kWh a month on average.
Is there a federal solar tax credit?
Not for homeowners who buy their system. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Sources
- NREL PVWatts V8 API (south-facing, 20° tilt, 14% losses, typical-year weather): https://developer.nlr.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- EnergySage, Solar panel cost by state (updated November 6, 2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (residential price, Jan–Aug 2026): https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b