Solar panels in Alexandria, LA
Roofs in Alexandria get about 1,678 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 66% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.
Check your specific roof in Alexandria → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Alexandria solar system costs
A 19-panel system (7.6 kW) is about right for an average Alexandria home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,840 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,564 | $6,384 | $552 | 11.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,846 | $9,576 | $828 | 11.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,128 | $12,768 | $1,105 | 11.6 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 11,410 | $15,960 | $1,325 | 12 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 14,834 | $20,748 | $1,429 | 14.5 yrs |
Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.
Why Alexandria gets 1,678 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Alexandria — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Alexandria reaches about 1,692 hours, roughly 1% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,678 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,692 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Louisiana avg) | 12.1¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 35% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 12 |
| Google imagery from | 2014 |
When Alexandria actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Alexandria's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 92 | |
| Feb | 114 | |
| Mar | 140 | |
| Apr | 164 | |
| May | 180 | |
| Jun | 185 | |
| Jul | 182 | |
| Aug | 170 | |
| Sep | 148 | |
| Oct | 121 | |
| Nov | 97 | |
| Dec | 86 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.2× between Jun and Dec. Alexandria is close enough to the equator that seasonal variation is mild, which makes sizing a system considerably more predictable.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Alexandria's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Alexandria compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Alexandria | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,678 hrs | 228th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 1% | 663rd most |
| Median roof size | 278 m² | 161st largest |
| Electricity rate | 12.1¢ | 600th highest |
| Payback | 11.6 yrs | 466th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 758 kg/MWh | 197th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Alexandria:
- Unusually open roofs. Only 1% of available sunlight is lost to obstruction in Alexandria — better than all but 10 of the 673 cities measured. Most roofs here get close to their theoretical maximum.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 83 panels — roughly 4× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Alexandria.
- Cheap electricity is the headwind. Louisiana power costs about 12.1¢/kWh. Low rates are good news generally, but they lengthen solar payback — there is simply less bill to displace.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Alexandria dates from 2014. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Alexandria's 1,678 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nampa, ID | 1,677 | 11.2¢ | 12.5 yrs |
| Dallas, TX | 1,675 | 15.1¢ | 9.3 yrs |
| Palm Coast, FL | 1,682 | 15.3¢ | 9.2 yrs |
| College Station, TX | 1,674 | 15.1¢ | 9.3 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Louisiana → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Alexandria solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Alexandria?
About 19 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Alexandria roofs get 1,678 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 571 kWh annually. A typical Alexandria roof fits about 83 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Alexandria?
At 12.1¢/kWh and 1,678 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 11.6 years and returns roughly $17,538 over a 25-year panel life. That is slower than average, so compare several quotes before committing. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Alexandria?
A 7.6 kW system costs about $21,660 before incentives and $15,162 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average Louisiana electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.