Sunset, Louisiana, United States, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 30.4113, -92.0684, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year with seasonal variations in output.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production at this location shows significant seasonal fluctuation. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating an impressive 6.42 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.33 kWh/day, while autumn produces 4.65 kWh/day. Winter sees the lowest output with 3.11 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

For residents of Sunset considering solar installation, this means your system will produce more than twice as much electricity during summer months compared to winter. This pattern is typical for the Northern Sub Tropics, where the sun's position and daylight hours vary considerably throughout the year.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Sunset, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 27 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle optimizes energy capture across all seasons, balancing the lower winter sun with the higher summer sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Sunset may impact solar production. Louisiana's humid subtropical climate brings frequent cloud cover and precipitation, particularly during summer thunderstorms and hurricane season (June through November), which can temporarily reduce solar output.

The region also experiences occasional tropical storms and hurricanes that could physically damage solar installations if not properly secured. To mitigate these risks, solar panels should be installed with hurricane-rated mounting systems that can withstand high winds.

Additionally, the high humidity and abundant vegetation in the area can contribute to dust, pollen, and organic debris accumulation on panels. Implementing a regular cleaning schedule and considering self-cleaning panel technologies can help maintain optimal production levels.

Heat can also affect panel efficiency, as solar panels typically lose efficiency when operating at high temperatures. Selecting panels with lower temperature coefficients and ensuring adequate airflow behind the panels during installation can help minimize this efficiency loss during hot Louisiana summers.

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 Sunset

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.4113, Longitude: -92.0684 (Sunset, 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 Sunset, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sunset, United States (Lat/Long 30.4113, -92.0684) 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 Sunset, 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 Sunset, 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	36° 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 Sunset, 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 Sunset, 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 Sunset, United States

The topography around Sunset, Louisiana, which is situated in St. Landry Parish, is predominantly characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain. This area lies within what is geographically known as the Western Gulf Coastal Plain, a region marked by its low elevation and minimal relief features. The landscape around Sunset generally sits at elevations ranging from approximately 35 to 50 feet above sea level, with very gradual changes in elevation throughout the vicinity. The terrain consists mainly of prairie lands that have been extensively converted to agricultural use over time. These flat expanses stretch for considerable distances, particularly to the south and west of Sunset. The natural vegetation of the region was once largely tallgrass prairie, though much has been transformed for farming purposes. Interspersed through this predominantly level landscape are shallow depressions, subtle ridges, and occasional wooded areas, particularly along waterways.

Hydrological Features

The area's hydrology plays a significant role in shaping its topography. Numerous bayous, small streams, and drainage channels meander through the landscape. Bayou Teche passes not far from Sunset, representing one of the more significant waterways in the vicinity. These water features have, over time, created subtle variations in the otherwise flat terrain through processes of erosion and deposition. Seasonal fluctuations in water levels and occasional flooding events continue to influence the local topography, though flood control measures have mitigated some of these natural processes. The water table is relatively high throughout much of the region, which has implications for any large-scale development projects.

Soil Composition

The soils around Sunset are predominantly alluvial in nature, deposited over millennia by the Mississippi River and its distributaries. These soils tend to be fertile silts and clays that support the region's agricultural activities. The soil composition varies somewhat across the area, with some sections featuring more sandy loam and others having higher clay content.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the areas most suited would be the extensive flat agricultural lands that surround Sunset, particularly to the west and southwest. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The flat terrain minimizes site preparation costs and engineering challenges that would be associated with more varied topography. The minimal slope means less earthwork would be required before installation of mounting systems. Agricultural lands that are currently underutilized or could be dual-purposed for agrivoltaics (the combination of agriculture and solar energy production) represent prime opportunities. Fields that currently grow seasonal crops could potentially accommodate solar arrays while still maintaining some agricultural productivity beneath and between panels. Areas slightly elevated above the immediate floodplains of local waterways would be preferable to minimize flood risk to solar infrastructure. While much of the region is relatively flat, even subtle elevation differences of a few feet can significantly impact flooding frequency and severity. The prairie lands to the west of Sunset, extending toward Opelousas and beyond, offer particularly promising sites due to their combination of flat terrain, good drainage characteristics, and relatively lower flood risk compared to areas closer to major waterways. It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar development, other factors such as grid connection availability, land ownership patterns, and environmental considerations would also need to be evaluated for specific project sites. The region's occasional severe weather, including hurricanes and tropical storms, would necessitate robust engineering of any solar installations to withstand high winds and heavy rainfall events.

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.