Louisiana is a southeastern state located on the Gulf of Mexico. Expanding over an area of 52,069.13 sq mi, Louisiana is blessed with an abundance of land and plenty of sunshine. On average it receives 5.87 peak sun hours throughout the year. The Pelican State experiences over 100 clear days each year. This makes Louisiana one of the top 20 states in the USA to receive maximum sunshine throughout the year. Hence, the state of Louisiana has excellent potential for solar energy.
As per the estimates provided by Google’s Project Sunroof, Louisiana is capable of producing 20GW of electricity just by utilizing its solar potential from rooftops. 88% of the buildings are estimated to be viable for the production of solar energy. If the true solar potential is reaped, Louisiana can generate 25.9 million MWh AC of electricity each year from photovoltaic panels. This can result in 16.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide savings.
Currently, the Mall of Louisiana has the largest solar system installed at its facility. It has a generation capacity of 1.2MW and it was commissioned by Solar Alternatives and Strata Solar. In the southeast region of Louisiana, six solar farms will be formed which will generate 600 megawatts of electricity per year.
Louisiana has been blessed with an abundance of natural gas resources which is why it has remained the dominant source of power. However, efforts are being made to diversify the energy portfolio of the state and replace fossil fuels with renewable and clean sources of energy such as solar energy. This will not only help combat climate change but will also bolster the energy security of the state.
Thanks to the Federal Investment Tax Credit, the cost of solar energy has reduced considerably. The cost of solar panel installation range from $2.53 to $3.43/watt. According to the Federal Investment Tax Credit, 26% of the total cost of the solar system is offset by the owner’s federal taxes. After 2023, 10% of the total cost will be offset for commercial solar systems.
To better understand the state of solar in Louisiana, let’s take a look at the following statistics:
- Solar Installed (MW): 200.6
- National Ranking: 38th (30th in 2020)
- Percentage of State’s Electricity from Solar: 0.44%
- Solar Jobs: 3,175
- Solar Companies in State: 55 (8 Manufacturers, 24
- Installers/Developers, 23 Others)
- Total Solar Investment in State: 490 million
- Prices have fallen 11% over the last 5 years
- Growth Projection and Ranking: 829 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 37th)
- Number Of Installations: 18,372
Need For Solar Panel Disposal Solution
The true potential of solar power in Louisiana is far greater than the current status. Ambitious targets and solar-friendly legislation have put Louisiana on a path of achieving energy sufficiency through the use of solar energy.
However, the rapid proliferation of photovoltaic technology also raises the alarming question about the decommissioning and disposal of end-of-life solar panels. Most experts agree that recycling old solar panels is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly waste disposal option for solar waste.
If you are looking for decommissioning or large-scale solar panel recycling solutions in Louisiana, contact We Recycle Solar. We provide recycling solutions for solar panels, batteries, and other equipment. Our processes are safe, efficient, and compliant with all federal and state laws.
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Unless otherwise noted, all data from SEIA/GTM Research U.S. Solar Market Insight