Harvey, Louisiana, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 29.8715, -90.07, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output provides valuable insights into its potential for harnessing solar energy.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.76 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.65 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production. Autumn sees a slight decrease in output, with 4.70 kWh/day, which is still a respectable figure. Winter experiences the lowest production at 3.48 kWh/day, but even this reduced output contributes significantly to the overall annual energy generation.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Harvey, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 27 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring optimal energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Harvey's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Humidity: The region's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, potentially affecting panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue. 2. Tropical storms and hurricanes: Being near the Gulf Coast, Harvey may experience severe weather events. Robust mounting systems and impact-resistant panels are crucial for withstanding high winds and flying debris. To address these challenges, installers should use corrosion-resistant materials, implement proper drainage systems, and ensure panels are securely mounted. Additionally, a comprehensive maintenance plan will help maintain optimal performance despite environmental factors. Overall, Harvey, Louisiana presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential throughout the year, particularly in summer and spring. By addressing environmental considerations and optimizing panel placement, residents and businesses can effectively harness the abundant solar resources available in this region.

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 3040 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 Harvey, Louisiana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 29.8715, Longitude: -90.07 (Harvey, Louisiana, 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 Harvey, Louisiana, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harvey, Louisiana, United States (Lat/Long 29.8715, -90.07) 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 Harvey, Louisiana, 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 Harvey, Louisiana, 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 Harvey, Louisiana, 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 Harvey, Louisiana, 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 Harvey, Louisiana, United States

The topography around Harvey, Louisiana, located at approximately 29.8715°N latitude and 90.07°W longitude, is characterized by its low-lying, flat terrain typical of the Mississippi River Delta region. This area is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain, which extends along the Gulf of Mexico. The landscape is predominantly composed of wetlands, marshes, and swamps, with numerous waterways crisscrossing the region. Harvey itself sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just across from New Orleans. The elevation in this area is very low, with much of the land being at or slightly below sea level. This flat topography is a result of centuries of sediment deposition from the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The natural landscape has been significantly altered by human activity, including the construction of levees, drainage canals, and flood control structures to manage water and protect inhabited areas.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar installations, as it minimizes shading issues and simplifies construction. However, the prevalence of wetlands and flood-prone areas presents challenges. The most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV in the vicinity of Harvey would likely be found on higher ground, away from flood-prone areas and wetlands. These could include: 1. Former agricultural lands or pastures that have been drained and are no longer actively cultivated. These areas often provide large, open spaces ideal for solar arrays. 2. Industrial zones or brownfield sites that are already developed but underutilized. These locations often have existing infrastructure that can support solar installations. 3. Areas along major highways or transportation corridors where land has already been cleared and is less likely to be subject to flooding. 4. Slightly elevated areas to the west and northwest of Harvey, where the land begins to rise slightly as it transitions away from the immediate coastal plain. It's important to note that any large-scale solar development in this region would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly on wetlands and wildlife habitats. Additionally, the risk of hurricanes and tropical storms in this area would require robust engineering and design to ensure the durability of solar installations.

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.