Franklin, Louisiana is located in the Northern Sub Tropics and offers reasonably good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations in output.

Seasonal Solar Production Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows a clear seasonal pattern. Summer provides the highest production at 6.29 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.63 kWh per day per kW, while autumn drops to 4.76 kWh per day per kW. Winter represents the lowest production period at 3.47 kWh per day per kW installed. This seasonal variation means that solar panels in Franklin will generate approximately 81% more electricity during peak summer months compared to the winter low point. The spring and summer months from March through September represent the ideal times for solar generation at this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round energy production, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 27 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and the area's specific latitude.

Local Environmental Challenges

Franklin, Louisiana faces several environmental factors that can significantly impact solar energy production:

• High humidity and frequent cloud cover: The subtropical climate brings substantial moisture and cloud formation, particularly during summer months, which can reduce solar irradiance
• Hurricane and severe weather risk: Louisiana's Gulf Coast location makes it vulnerable to hurricanes and severe storms that can damage solar installations
• Salt air corrosion: Proximity to coastal areas means salt-laden air can accelerate corrosion of solar panel frames and mounting systems
• Heavy rainfall: Intense precipitation events can temporarily reduce production and may cause debris accumulation on panels

Preventative Installation Measures

Several strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges. Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings and hydrophobic surfaces helps maintain efficiency during high-humidity conditions and ensures rainwater sheets off more effectively. Hurricane-resistant mounting systems rated for high wind speeds are essential, along with proper grounding and surge protection equipment. Using marine-grade aluminum frames and stainless steel hardware helps combat salt air corrosion. Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this environment. This includes periodic cleaning to remove debris, salt buildup, and biological growth, plus routine inspections of mounting hardware and electrical connections. Installing monitoring systems allows for quick identification of performance issues. Choosing solar panels with strong warranties against environmental degradation and working with installers experienced in coastal installations will help ensure long-term system performance in Franklin's challenging but productive solar environment.

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 Franklin, Louisiana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 29.796, Longitude: -91.5015 (Franklin, 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 Franklin, Louisiana, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Franklin, Louisiana, United States (Lat/Long 29.796, -91.5015) 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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, Louisiana, United States

Topographical Features Around Franklin, Louisiana

Franklin sits in the heart of Louisiana's coastal plain region, characterized by remarkably flat and low-lying terrain. The area represents typical Louisiana bayou country, where the landscape has been shaped by centuries of Mississippi River sediment deposits and coastal processes. Elevations throughout the region rarely exceed ten feet above sea level, with much of the surrounding area sitting at or near sea level.

The topography is dominated by an intricate network of waterways, including Bayou Teche which flows directly through Franklin, along with numerous smaller bayous, canals, and wetlands that create a complex aquatic landscape. These water features meander through the flat terrain, creating a patchwork of land and water that defines the character of south-central Louisiana.

Sugar cane fields stretch across much of the higher, better-drained ground, taking advantage of the fertile alluvial soils. These agricultural areas represent some of the most stable and accessible terrain in the region. Between the cultivated fields and waterways lie extensive wetland areas, including both freshwater marshes and saltwater marshes closer to the Gulf of Mexico.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Franklin would be the existing agricultural areas, particularly the sugar cane fields that occupy the slightly elevated and well-drained portions of the landscape. These areas offer several advantages including relatively stable ground conditions, existing road access for construction and maintenance, and terrain that requires minimal grading or preparation.

The flat topography throughout the region eliminates concerns about shading from hills or mountains, allowing for efficient panel layouts and consistent solar exposure across large installations. Agricultural areas north and west of Franklin present particularly attractive opportunities, as they combine accessible terrain with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure.

Areas closer to the Gulf Coast and those dominated by wetlands would be less suitable due to environmental sensitivities, potential flooding concerns, and the challenges of building on unstable, saturated soils. The numerous waterways and protected wetland areas also create regulatory constraints that would complicate large-scale development in many locations.

Former agricultural land or areas currently in agricultural use would likely offer the best combination of suitable ground conditions, accessibility, and fewer environmental restrictions. The existing network of farm roads and rural highways provides good access for construction equipment and ongoing maintenance operations that large solar installations require.

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.