Solar Energy Potential in Plaquemine, Louisiana

Plaquemine, Louisiana, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 30.2654, -91.2455, offers a generally favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with seasonal variations. The location experiences strong solar potential during summer months with moderate performance during transitional seasons and reduced output in winter.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation in Plaquemine varies significantly throughout the year:

• Summer: Excellent production at 6.26 kWh per day per kW installed
• Spring: Very good production at 5.44 kWh per day per kW installed
• Autumn: Moderate production at 4.64 kWh per day per kW installed
• Winter: Lower production at 3.12 kWh per day per kW installed

This seasonal pattern makes summer and spring the ideal times for solar energy generation in Plaquemine, with production tapering off in autumn and reaching its lowest point during winter months. Even during winter, however, the location still produces a reasonable amount of solar energy compared to more northern locations.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed-panel solar installations in Plaquemine, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 27 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes solar collection across all seasons, balancing between summer's high sun angles and winter's lower sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could impact solar production in Plaquemine. The area experiences high humidity and significant rainfall, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. More critically, Plaquemine's location in Louisiana makes it vulnerable to hurricane impacts, with potential for severe storms from June through November. The region also experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, which can temporarily interrupt solar production. Additionally, pollen and dust accumulation can be significant in this subtropical environment, gradually reducing panel efficiency if not addressed.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures are recommended. Hurricane-rated mounting systems should be standard for all installations, with panels secured to withstand high winds. Regular cleaning schedules, particularly during pollen season in spring, will maintain optimal efficiency. Installing panels with slightly steeper angles than the mathematical optimum (perhaps 30 degrees instead of 27) can improve self-cleaning from rainfall. Micro-inverter or power optimizer systems are also advisable to minimize production losses when parts of the array are shaded or affected by debris. Finally, considering the strong summer production, oversizing the inverter slightly (DC to AC ratio of 1.2 to 1.3) can help capture more energy during peak production periods while still functioning efficiently during lower production seasons.

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 Plaquemine

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.2654, Longitude: -91.2455 (Plaquemine, 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 Plaquemine, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Plaquemine, United States (Lat/Long 30.2654, -91.2455) 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 Plaquemine, 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 Plaquemine, 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	46° 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 Plaquemine, 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 Plaquemine, 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 Plaquemine, United States

The landscape surrounding Plaquemine, Louisiana presents a quintessential example of the lower Mississippi River Delta region. This area is characterized by remarkably flat terrain, with minimal elevation changes across the region. Plaquemine sits at approximately 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level, and the surrounding areas rarely rise more than 30-40 feet in elevation. The topography has been shaped over millennia by the meandering Mississippi River, which has deposited rich alluvial soils throughout the floodplain. The immediate vicinity of Plaquemine features a mix of agricultural land, wetlands, and forested areas. To the east flows the mighty Mississippi River, which has played a crucial role in forming the local geography through continuous deposition and erosion processes. The western portions of the area transition into more agricultural landscapes with some scattered woodlands.

Hydrological Features

Water is a dominant feature of this landscape. Beyond the Mississippi River itself, numerous bayous, canals, and small lakes dot the region. Bayou Plaquemine connects the city to the Mississippi, while other waterways like Bayou Grosse Tete and Bayou Maringouin define portions of the western landscape. These waterways have historically served as natural drainage channels for the flat terrain. During periods of heavy rainfall, some low-lying areas can experience flooding, a natural consequence of the minimal topographic relief and proximity to major waterways. This hydrological reality has influenced settlement patterns and land use throughout the region's history.

Potential for Solar Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, the areas west and northwest of Plaquemine offer the most promising conditions. These regions feature: Agricultural lands that are already cleared and relatively level, eliminating the need for significant site preparation. The flat terrain reduces construction costs and simplifies installation of solar arrays. Slightly higher elevations compared to areas closer to the Mississippi River, which provides some natural protection from potential flooding events that could damage solar infrastructure. The rural areas between Plaquemine and nearby communities like Addis and Grosse Tete contain substantial tracts of open land that could accommodate utility-scale solar developments while maintaining adequate distance from residential areas. Areas to avoid would include the immediate floodplains of the Mississippi River and associated bayous, as well as designated wetland areas which serve crucial ecological functions and are subject to regulatory protections. The eastern portions closest to the Mississippi River experience more frequent flooding events, making them less suitable for solar infrastructure. The existing electrical transmission infrastructure in the region, developed to support the industrial corridor along the Mississippi, provides potential interconnection points for new solar generation facilities, though specific connection capabilities would require detailed engineering analysis. The gently rolling agricultural lands northwest of the city, particularly along major roadways like LA Highway 1, combine accessibility with suitable topography for solar development, while avoiding the most flood-prone areas of the region.

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.