Solar power in Louisiana is ranked 34th for installed solar PV capacity as of 2017 by the Solar Energy Industry Association. The state's "solar friendliness" according to Solar Power Rocks has fallen to 50th place for 2018 as the state credit program ends and full 1:1 retail net metering is being phased out. Taxpayers still benefit from federal incentive programs such as the 30 percent tax credit, which applies to business and residential solar photovoltaic and thermal energy systems of any size.
From January 1, 2008 to June 19, 2015, Louisiana offered a 50 percent tax credit up to $12,500 for the installation of solar system for purchased systems. On a combined basis with federal tax credits, and depending on a homeowner's tax situation, this amounted to an 80 percent tax credit for solar installations less than $25,000 in value,Tax Credit for Solar and Wind Energy Systems on Residential Property Tax Credit for Solar and Wind Energy Systems on Residential Property (Corporate) as well as a smaller credit for leased solar systems, which increased the affordability of solar PV and water heating.Solar Power Installation in Lafayette, Louisiana
Google's Project Sunroof estimates Louisiana to have over 20GW of rooftop solar potential; New Orleans is estimated to have over 90% of its roofs capable of solar energy production.
New Orleans' largest solar array is the 1MW array installed by Blattner Energy at the Entergy Patterson facility in New Orleans East. The largest solar project in the state of Louisiana as of 2018 was the 1.2MW rooftop solar system at the Mall of Louisiana, completed in 2017 by Solar Alternatives and Strata Solar.
A planned 345 MW project in Pointe Coupée Parish will more than double the solar power capacity in the state.
Statistics
Source: NREL
+Grid-connected PV capacity (MW)Louisiana Solar Year Total Installed 2009 0.2 2010 2.6 2.4 2011 13.4 10.8 2012 18.2 4.8 2013 46.6 28.4 2014 60 13.4 2015 92 32 2016 110 18 2017 120 10 2018 138 18 2019 146 8 2020 188.5 42.5 2021 202.9 14.4 2022 276 73.1 Note: Source gives conflicting information for 2011 and 2012.
+ Utility-scale solar generation in Louisiana (GWh) Year Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2020 37 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 11 9 7 2021 118 10 10 14 17 18 18 14 17
See also
Solar power in the United States Renewable energy in the United States
External links Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association Louisiana solar cost estimate Open PV Database New Orleans solar calculator Renewable energy policies and incentives
References