Solar PV Analysis of Winnsboro, United States
In simple terms, the location in Winnsboro, Louisiana is pretty good for generating solar power year-round. However, how much energy you can generate varies significantly depending on the season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to produce a lot of electricity - about 6.68 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.68 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. These are great times to harness solar energy at this location.
In autumn and winter though, production drops quite a bit - down to 4.66 kWh/day in autumn and just 2.78 kWh/day during winter for every kW of installed panels.
To maximize your total yearly output from your solar panels at this location, it's best to tilt them towards the south by about 28 degrees.
As far as potential obstacles go that could hinder your ability to produce solar power here - there might be some environmental or weather-related factors that could come into play. For example:
- The area experiences frequent cloud cover or heavy rainfall which would reduce sunlight exposure.
- There may be tall trees or buildings nearby that cast shadows over where you plan on installing the panels.
- Dust storms or bird droppings could dirty the surface of your panels reducing their efficiency.
There are ways around these issues though! You can trim back any obstructions like trees or choose an installation site with minimal shading if possible. Regular cleaning of your panel surfaces will also ensure maximum light absorption leading to greater energy production.
So overall while there might be some challenges associated with generating solar power at this location particularly during certain seasons and due to local factors; with careful planning and maintenance they can certainly be overcome making Winnsboro a viable place for harnessing sun's energy through PV systems!
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 Winnsboro
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.1579, Longitude: -91.7111 (Winnsboro, 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 Winnsboro, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Winnsboro, United States (Lat/Long 32.1579, -91.7111) 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 Winnsboro, 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 Winnsboro, 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 Winnsboro, 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 Winnsboro, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Winnsboro, United States
Winnsboro, United States is located in the state of Louisiana and is part of Franklin Parish. The area around Winnsboro is generally flat with a few gently rolling hills. It's part of the Mississippi Delta region, which is characterized by fertile soil and various bodies of water.
In terms of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, areas with flat topography are typically ideal as they require less land preparation. Therefore, the flatlands surrounding Winnsboro could be suitable for such projects. However, it's important to also consider other factors such as local climate (amount of sunlight), proximity to power grids or transmission lines, environmental impact assessments and local regulations or incentives related to renewable energy development.
In addition, areas that are not heavily wooded would be more suitable since trees can block sunlight from reaching solar panels. Also regions without significant residential development would be better suited due to fewer potential conflicts over land use.
It should also be noted that Louisiana has a relatively high average annual sunshine duration compared to other US states which makes it potentially beneficial for solar PV installations.
However, a detailed site assessment would need to be conducted by professionals in order to accurately determine the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV near Winnsboro.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
