Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen and biomass can potentially play an important role in the future of our nation. The Department is committed to encouraging the development of renewable sources of energy.

Overview

Wind

• Wind Resource Maps of Offshore Louisiana - Report 2007 pdf (428 KB)
• Wind Resource of Offshore Louisiana - Individual Maps
  • Mean Wind Speed at 50 Meters - pdf (575 KB)
  • Mean Wind Speed at 90 Meters - pdf (581 KB)
  • Mean Wind Speed at 150 Meters - pdf (564 KB)
  • Mean Wind Speed at 300 Meters - pdf (560 KB)
  • Download ARC map file (shapefiles)
  • Download ARC reader
  • Download WindView User Guide - pdf (674 KB)
• Economics of Offshore Wind Power - Energy Topic February 2005
• Offshore Louisiana Wind Power -Energy Topic December 2004
• Evaluating Wind Energy Potential in Louisiana
  September 1981 (Full Report) PDF (11.9 MB) HTML

Solar

• Solar Notes
  Solar Overview: A quick overview of solar electric and solar water heating systems addressing the key issues that determine a successful
  installation


• PV System Sizing Information
  Grid Tied PV Sizing Calculator (for systems with no batteries)
  Stand Alone PV Sizing Procedure (w/EXAMPLE and BLANK FORM @ end) (for systems with a battery bank)


• This Solar Radiation Data Map for Louisiana Cities provides a listing of the amount of average sun that is available over a yearly basis for the listed Louisiana cities. If the system will be installed in a city that is not included in these tables – use the listed city data from a city with the closest Latitude to the installation location.


• Federal Solar Incentives
  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Epact 2005) provides a 30% tax credit incentive of up to $2,000 for solar electric, fuel cell, and solar water heating systems
  Federal Solar Tax Credit Legislation
  Federal Solar Tax Credit Summary


• State Solar Incentives
  Louisiana has passed Legislation allowing Grid Tied Net Metering systems throughout the state.
  Statewide Act 653 Legislation
  Act 653 Summary
  Act 653 Final Rules
  RS 51:3061. Legislative findings
  Adoption of Net Metering
  New Orleans Net Metering Summary
  Interconnection Standard Summary
  
  Louisiana provides a 50% tax credit of up to $12,500 for the purchase of solar electric, and solar water heating systems as well as wind energy systems installed on residential property.
  Act 371 Legislation
  Act 371 Summary
  Act 371 Final Rules

Louisiana provides a tax exemption for solar electric as well as solar water heating systems installed on residential property.
Solar Property Tax Exemption Legislation
Solar Property Tax Exemption Summary

• Photovoltaic Roofing Shingles Project
  A project that demonstrates photovoltaic roofing shingles in south Louisiana. Grant by the LA DNR Technology Assessment Division to the Mechanical Engineering Department of Tulane University.


• Photovoltaic Demonstration
  An application of photovoltaic power in an area where conventional electric power may not be possible.


• Portable Photovoltaic Systems
  An educational tool to show a working photovoltaic system. PDF


• Solar Water Heaters
  A cost effective way to heat water in Louisiana. PDF

Geothermal

• Geothermal Resources in Louisiana May 2006

Hydrogen

• A Hydrogen Primer - Energy Topic October 2003

Biomass

• Transportation Fuels From Louisiana Biomass March 2007
• Renewables Council of Louisiana - Energy Topic October 2004

Ethanol

• DOE to Provide up to $40 Million in Funding for Small-Scale Biorefinery Projects in Wisconsin and Louisiana
  Projects Show Continued Investment in Non-Food Based, Sustainable, and Cost Competitive Second-Generation Cellulosic Biofuels
  posted July 22, 2008
• Transportation Fuels From Louisiana Biomass March 2007
• Biofuels- Part 2: Ethanol Issues February 2007
• Biofuels - Part 1: Ethanol Basics November 2006
• Ethanol Industry Update - Energy Topic April 2003
• Fuel Alcohol in Louisiana May 1987

General

• U.S. Department of Energy
  (U.S. DOE - http://www.energy.gov/) A good additional source of information.
• Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  (EERE - http://www.eere.energy.gov/)
• EERE Network News
  EERE's newsletter, the EERE Network News, covers national and international energy efficiency and renewable energy news and events, as well as new EERE Web sites and energy facts. Read it online or subscribe to the weekly emailed newsletter on the linked page.
• Understanding and Informing the Policy Environment:
  State-Level Renewable Fuels Standards
  NREL report on the development and status of state level renewable fuels standards in the US.
  http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41075.pdf (PDF 613 KB)
• Renewables Portofolio Standards in the United States
  A Status Report with Data Through 2007 by Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (pdf 1.45 MKB)
• State of the States 2008: Renewable Energy Development and the Role of Policy. Technical Report NREL/TP-670-43021 October 2008
  This report provides insights into the status of renewable energy development at the state level.

For additional information please check the page on:

• Alternative Motor Fuels
• Clean Cities Program