Louisiana Solar Panel Permits & Incentives Guide

Quick Answer: Solar Panels in Louisiana

Installing solar in Louisiana involves two layers of oversight: local permitting from your city or parish, and state contractor licensing rules in place since 2015. Financially, the incentives are robust: a 30% federal tax credit with no cap, a Louisiana property tax exemption on the system's value, and net billing rights with your utility.

Key requirements at a glance:

New Orleans residents face an additional layer of local rules. The City Council directly regulates Entergy New Orleans, establishing its own net metering rules, community solar program (Resolution R-19-11), and a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard. This standard commits Entergy New Orleans to net-zero emissions by 2040 and carbon elimination by 2050 (Resolution R-20-104).

Louisiana Solar Panel Permit Requirements & Contractor Licensing

Every solar installation in Louisiana requires permits. There is no statewide permit form. Permits are obtained from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which is your local city or parish building department.

What Permits You Need

At minimum, expect to file for:

• A building permit covering structural work, such as roof penetrations and racking.
• An electrical permit covering wiring, inverters, and utility interconnection.

Some parishes bundle these permits; others require separate applications and inspections. Check with your specific municipal or parish building department. Permit fees and processing timelines vary by jurisdiction, and statewide averages are not provided. Contact your local building department directly for current fee schedules and turnaround times.

State Solar Contractor Licensing (SB 447)

Louisiana enacted SB 447 in June 2014. This law directed the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors to develop solar contractor licensing requirements. By February 1, 2015, all licensed contractors installing solar panels had to comply. This licensing requirement ensures that solar installations are performed by qualified professionals. It protects consumers from substandard work and ensures compliance with safety and building codes.

Contractors who do not hold a Solar PV Installer or Solar Heating Installer certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) must, at minimum, pass a written exam to demonstrate competency (Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, SB 447).

What this means for you as a property owner:

• Ask any contractor for their Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors license number before signing a contract.
• Verify the license is current on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors website.
• A contractor unable to show NABCEP certification or proof of passing the required exam is not in compliance with SB 447.

Confirm the specific written exam requirements and current NABCEP certification details directly with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, as these can be updated outside of legislative cycles.

State & Local Solar Incentives in Louisiana

Louisiana Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption