Solar Power Installation in Lafayette, Louisiana

My name is Robert Willey. I'm a professor of music at UL Lafayette, and made this informational website to share my experience installing a solar power system at our house in order to help people in the area save time researching the options. Please send me email or call (337) 501-1975 if you'd like to come by and see our system, find out how it has lowered our energy bills, or get recommendations for contractors.

When we're not using a lot of electricity the meter spins backwards, and we get a credit from the city for what we put back into the grid. During heavy use times and at night we use up the credit.

We got 80% of the cost of the system back after filing income taxes—the State of Louisiana cut a check for 50%, and the Federal government granted 30% in tax credits. The remaining 20% that we paid will be recouped in savings on utility bills, after which we'll be getting free energy. The savings on our electric bill the first year equalled a tax free 9.6% return on our investment— better than what the banks or stock market are paying.

I had contractors install:

• (2) solar-powered attic fans - reducing heat in attic, thereby reducing air conditioning costs
• a 4.3 kilowatt system of photovoltaic panels (August, 2010)
• (2) tube skylights - providing natural light
• impedance matching system (July, 2011) from Tigo Energy - maximizes efficiency and provides panel level monitoring.

I installed myself:

• window film - reducing heat entering house
• insulating blanket around hot water heater tank, lowered temperature to 120°.
• Socket Sealers - fire retardant seals for AC outlets and switches, preventing up to 20% of home air loss

I decided against installing a solar-powered hot water system to heat water since our heater is gas powered. Depending on how much hot water you use, a solar system really makes sense if you're using electricity to heat your water, since it can pay for itself in about 18 months.

Links

• State of Louisiana State Incentives for Renawables and Efficiency
  • Department of Natural Resources' Financial Resources and Incentives
  • Louisiana House Bill 858 - expands eligibility for wind and solar energy system tax credits to taxpayers who install systems on residential properties
  • Lafayette Utilities System net metering - receive a credit for excess production
    
    
• Federal tax incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits for consumer energy efficiency
  • Federal renewable energy tax credit
    
    
• Energy Star products
  • Solar Hot Water Basics
    
    
• Guide to Home Solar Panels - information site including sizing, home evaluation, payback, financing

Ready for more?

Our roof

Rotating Sun from NASA - looks plenty powerful!

The Return of the Sun - click and enjoy

Ultraviolet photo of sun