Solar Panel Installation in New Orleans, LA
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
New Orleans has about 1,380 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for Entergy New Orleans below, then get quotes.
New Orleans solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for New Orleans
Entergy New Orleans serves homes in New Orleans.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| Entergy New Orleans, LLC | investor-owned | The New Orleans City Council, not the state commission, regulates this utility. Under its net metering rule, kWh you send to the grid offset kWh you buy that month; extra carries to the next month, and any credit left when you close the account is paid at avoided cost. Homes up to 25 kW; not allowed in the Downtown Network Area; $50 one-time meter charge. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the Louisiana incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in New Orleans
- City of New Orleans Safety & Permits (One Stop): permit information · 504-658-7100
- The city issues building permits for residential rooftop solar through its One Stop permitting system. The page lists permit applications and requirements; check it before you start.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: Entergy New Orleans net metering · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the LSLBC solar energy equipment classification before you sign.
- Louisiana law says no one may unreasonably restrict your right to install a solar collector, but it does not override zoning, servitudes or building restrictions that require approval first, and it does not apply in historic districts (R.S. 9:1255).
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for New Orleans.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for New Orleans alone. The Louisiana figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the LSLBC solar energy equipment classification and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in New Orleans
Tell us about your project in New Orleans. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
More for New Orleans
Home Battery Installation in New Orleans · Backup Generator Installation in New Orleans · Home EV Charger Installation in New Orleans · New Orleans energy guide · Louisiana energy guide.
Solar Panel Installation in New Orleans FAQs
Is solar worth it in New Orleans?
The sun is strong (about 1,380 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the Louisiana incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. Louisiana’s state solar income tax credit has ended (Act 413 of 2017), but home solar equipment is exempt from property tax (R.S. 47:1706).
Do I need a permit for solar panels in New Orleans?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. City of New Orleans Safety & Permits (One Stop) handles permits in New Orleans; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in New Orleans?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the LSLBC solar energy equipment classification.
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and the Louisiana Department of Revenue and the Louisiana Legislature; permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.