This is one of the best states in the entire country as far as solar incentives go.  Homeowners in this state are eligible for a 50% tax credit as well as a 30% federal tax credit.  The best thing is that if you can’t use the entire state tax credit, the remainder will be paid in a check directly to you from the state’s department of revenue.  I don’t think there is any other state that currently offers such a program.

There is one limitation, and that is the amount of the tax credit by the state has to be less than or equal to $12,500 which means a homeowner can not install a system that costs more than $25,000 and expect the incrementl amount to receive the credit.  But that is quite alright, a $25,000 system is still a big one.

Here are a few sample solar systems and what you can expect to save on an electic bill.  The differences in the numbers are due to different amounts of sunlight in different parts of the state.  These differences effect the output in DC kilo watts of the solar panels:

In New Orleans, a 4kw solar system is expected to produce about 5109 kwh of electricity per year. If the average cost is about $.081/kwh, that equates to about $413/year in electric bill savings.

In Baton Rouge, a 4kw solar system is expected to produce about 5105 kwh of electricity per year. If the average cost is about $.081/kwh, that equates to about $406/year in electric bill savings.

In Shreveport, a 4kw solar system is expected to produce about 5177 kwh of electricity per year. If the average cost is about $.085/kwh, that equates to about $419/year in electric bill savings.

The best advice I can give you is to contact several different solar installers and have them all bid on your project.  After you do that, you will have a much better idea as to what the market rates are for labor and supplies, and then you will be best equipped to make a decision on moving forward with solar.