Solar Energy Potential in Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 32.4144, -93.8742, offers good potential for solar PV energy generation, though with seasonal variations that affect its overall efficiency. The solar energy production in Shreveport follows a predictable seasonal pattern. During summer months, solar panels produce their highest output at 6.77kWh per day for each kilowatt installed. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.48kWh/day, while autumn generates a moderate 4.60kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at just 2.69kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

Seasonal Variations

The significant difference between summer and winter production (more than double) indicates that Shreveport experiences substantial seasonal variation. This means solar installations will produce excess energy during summer months that could potentially offset the reduced winter generation if connected to the grid or paired with energy storage solutions. For a fixed panel installation in Shreveport, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximize total year-round production is 28 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar energy capture based on Shreveport's latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Shreveport may impact solar production:

• Humidity and cloudy conditions: Shreveport's subtropical climate brings periods of high humidity and cloud cover, particularly during storm seasons, which can reduce solar efficiency.
• Severe weather: The region experiences thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes that can damage installations if not properly secured.
• Hurricane impacts: Though inland, Shreveport can experience the effects of Gulf hurricanes, bringing extended periods of overcast skies and heavy rain.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Shreveport despite these challenges, consider these preventative measures:

• Install hurricane-rated mounting systems and frames that can withstand high winds
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove pollen, dust, and debris that are common in the region
• Consider slightly west-facing orientation to capture more afternoon sun when morning humidity and fog have cleared
• Install panels with high humidity tolerance ratings specifically designed for subtropical climates

Overall, Shreveport offers good solar potential with pronounced seasonal variations. With proper system design accounting for local conditions, solar PV can be an effective energy source in this Northern Louisiana location.

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 Shreveport

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.4144, Longitude: -93.8742 (Shreveport, 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 28° South in Shreveport, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shreveport, United States (Lat/Long 32.4144, -93.8742) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	37° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	25° 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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, United States

The topography around Shreveport, Louisiana presents a varied landscape characterized by gentle rolling hills, river valleys, and forested areas. Situated in the northwestern corner of Louisiana, Shreveport sits at the boundary of several distinct geographical regions, creating a diverse terrain that transitions between different ecological zones.

River Influence on Topography

The Red River, a major waterway in the region, has significantly shaped Shreveport's landscape. The city itself is positioned along the river's western bank, with the terrain gradually sloping toward this waterway. This river has created a broad floodplain that features rich alluvial soils and relatively flat terrain near its banks. Over geological time, the river has carved valleys and created natural levees that add subtle elevation changes to an otherwise moderately flat region.

Elevation and Relief

Elevation in the Shreveport area ranges approximately from 145 to 280 feet above sea level. The city proper sits at an average elevation of about 180 feet. While not mountainous, the terrain does feature noticeable undulations, particularly as one moves away from the river. These rolling hills become more pronounced in certain directions, especially to the west into Texas and north toward Arkansas.

Ecological Zones

Shreveport sits at an interesting ecological transition zone. To the east lies the Mississippi Alluvial Plain with its flatter terrain, while to the west begins the West Gulf Coastal Plain with slightly more varied topography. The area also represents a transition between the pine forests that dominate eastern Texas and northern Louisiana and the more hardwood-dominated forests to the east. This creates a mixed forest ecosystem with both pine and hardwood trees covering much of the non-developed land around Shreveport.

Suitability for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development, several areas around Shreveport offer promising conditions based on topographical considerations:

Western and Northwestern Regions

The areas west and northwest of Shreveport, extending toward the Texas border, present some of the most suitable terrain for solar installations. These regions feature gently rolling landscapes with modest tree coverage in some sections and more open areas in others. The slightly elevated terrain reduces flood risk while still maintaining the relatively level ground needed for efficient solar array deployment. The gradual slopes in these areas also provide natural drainage without creating excessive challenges for construction or solar panel alignment.

Southern Caddo Parish

The southern portions of Caddo Parish (the county containing Shreveport) offer favorable topography for solar development. This region features more open land with agricultural use, providing already-cleared areas that would require minimal site preparation. The terrain here tends to be flatter with subtle undulations, making it conducive to the installation of large solar arrays without significant earthmoving operations.

Eastern Upland Areas

Moving east from Shreveport, once beyond the immediate floodplain of the Red River, there are upland areas with suitable characteristics for solar development. These locations offer a compromise between flood safety and construction feasibility, with enough elevation to avoid water issues while maintaining manageable slopes for solar array installation.

Considerations Beyond Topography

While topography is favorable in many surrounding areas, optimal solar PV development would need to consider additional factors beyond terrain. Land that has been previously cleared for agriculture or other development typically presents fewer challenges than heavily forested areas that would require extensive clearing. Additionally, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, road access, and distance from populated areas would influence specific site selection within these topographically suitable regions. The combination of moderate relief, available cleared land, and generally stable geological conditions makes the greater Shreveport region a viable candidate for large-scale solar PV development, with the western, northwestern, and southern areas offering particularly promising topographical characteristics.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.