Marrero, Louisiana, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 29.8639, -90.1067, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. The location experiences moderate to good solar production potential across all four seasons.

Solar energy production in Marrero reaches its peak during the summer months, generating approximately 5.76 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.65 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. Production decreases during autumn to 4.70 kWh/day and reaches its lowest point in winter at 3.48 kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

For residents of Marrero considering a fixed solar panel installation, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 27 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year based on Marrero's geographical position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant local factors in Marrero may impact solar energy production. Being located near the Gulf Coast, this area faces particular challenges that should be addressed during solar installation:

• Hurricane risk and high winds: Marrero is vulnerable to Atlantic hurricane activity, particularly from June through November. Solar installations require hurricane-rated mounting systems with enhanced structural support to withstand potential high winds.
• High humidity and rainfall: The Gulf Coast region experiences significant precipitation and humidity, which can accelerate corrosion of components and reduce panel efficiency. Using marine-grade materials and ensuring proper drainage systems around installations can mitigate these effects.
• Flooding concerns: Being in a low-lying area near the Mississippi River and Gulf, flood risk is substantial. Elevating equipment, particularly inverters and electrical components, above potential flood levels is essential.
• Heat degradation: The hot subtropical climate can reduce panel efficiency during peak summer temperatures. Ensuring adequate airflow beneath panels and using heat-tolerant equipment can help maintain production levels.

Despite these challenges, with proper installation techniques and equipment selection, Marrero residents can achieve reliable solar production. The strongest production periods from late spring through early fall align well with higher cooling demands in this warm climate, making solar particularly valuable for offsetting air conditioning costs.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 4253 locations across the United States. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in the United States by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Marrero

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 29.8639, Longitude: -90.1067 (Marrero, United States), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 27° South in Marrero, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marrero, United States (Lat/Long 29.8639, -90.1067) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Marrero, United States

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Marrero, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
14° South in Summer	35° South in Autumn	45° South in Winter	23° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Marrero, United States

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Marrero, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Marrero, United States

Marrero is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, within the greater New Orleans metropolitan area. The topography of Marrero and its surrounding areas is predominantly characterized by flat, low-lying terrain typical of the Mississippi River delta region. The elevation across Marrero averages just a few feet above sea level, with very minimal variation in the landscape. The area lies within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, formed by centuries of sediment deposits from the river. This has created a remarkably level landscape with rich alluvial soils. Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and position within the delta, Marrero is surrounded by wetlands, bayous, and marshes, particularly to the south and west.

Surrounding Geographical Features

To the east of Marrero flows the mighty Mississippi River, which has played a crucial role in shaping the regional topography. The river's natural levees provide some of the highest ground in the immediate area, though these elevations are still modest by most standards. To the south, the terrain transitions into coastal marshlands that eventually meet the Gulf of Mexico. These wetland areas are extremely flat and frequently inundated, with numerous small waterways crisscrossing the landscape. To the west and northwest, the terrain remains predominantly flat but includes a mix of developed areas, agricultural land, and scattered wetlands. The Barataria Basin, a major estuarine system, lies to the south and southwest of Marrero.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Marrero, several factors must be considered beyond just the flat terrain. The most suitable areas would be: The higher ground along the natural levees of the Mississippi River offers better protection from flooding concerns that plague much of the region. Areas to the west and northwest of Marrero, where there is less frequent flooding and somewhat higher elevation, could provide more stable ground for solar infrastructure. Former agricultural lands or brownfield sites in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes would be particularly suitable. These areas typically offer large, contiguous parcels of land that are already cleared and have reduced ecological sensitivity compared to wetlands. The developed industrial corridors along Highway 90 and other major routes west of Marrero contain numerous large, flat rooftops and vacant industrial parcels that could support substantial solar installations without requiring new land clearing. Areas to avoid would include the extensive wetlands and marshes to the south, which serve crucial ecological functions and face significant flooding challenges. Additionally, areas immediately adjacent to the Mississippi River would face heightened flood risks during high water events. The region's predominant flatness is advantageous for solar development, as it minimizes grading costs and simplifies construction. However, the low elevation and susceptibility to tropical weather systems present engineering challenges that must be addressed through robust mounting systems and flood-resistant designs for any large-scale solar PV development.

United States solar PV Stats as a country

United States ranks 2nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 95,209 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of United States's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 26th in the world). Each year United States is generating 289 Watts from solar PV per capita (United States ranks 15th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United States?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United States. These include federal tax credits, state and local rebates, net metering policies, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Additionally, many states have enacted legislation that requires utilities to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources such as solar.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United States? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.