Auburndale, Florida, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 28.0653° N latitude and 81.7887° W longitude, this location receives ample sunlight to support consistent solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Auburndale varies across seasons, with spring and summer being the most productive periods. In spring, solar panels can generate an impressive 6.69 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer follows closely with 5.89 kWh/day, while autumn and winter see slightly reduced but still significant outputs of 4.75 kWh/day and 4.03 kWh/day, respectively.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Auburndale, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 25 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Auburndale's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. Florida's frequent afternoon thunderstorms, particularly during the summer months, can temporarily reduce solar output. Additionally, the region's humidity and occasional tropical storms may impact panel efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, installers should consider using high-quality, weather-resistant panels and ensure proper drainage systems are in place. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help prevent any buildup of dust or debris that might accumulate due to the humid environment.

Conclusion

Overall, Auburndale, Florida, presents a highly suitable location for year-round solar PV energy generation. With its consistent sunlight and relatively mild climate, the area offers strong potential for solar power production across all seasons, making it an attractive option for both residential and commercial solar installations.

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 Auburndale

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.0653, Longitude: -81.7887 (Auburndale, 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 25° South in Auburndale, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Auburndale, United States (Lat/Long 28.0653, -81.7887) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Auburndale, 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 Auburndale, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
12° South in Summer	33° South in Autumn	43° South in Winter	21° 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 Auburndale, 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 Auburndale, 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 Auburndale, United States

Auburndale, located in central Florida, is characterized by a relatively flat topography typical of the region. The area around Auburndale features a mix of low-lying plains, gentle slopes, and numerous small lakes and wetlands. The landscape is primarily the result of Florida's unique geological history, shaped by ancient seas and more recent glacial periods. The terrain in and around Auburndale is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from about 100 to 200 feet above sea level. This flat to gently rolling landscape is part of the larger Central Florida Ridge, a slightly elevated region that runs through the center of the state. The area is dotted with many small lakes, a result of sinkholes formed by the underlying limestone bedrock.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

The topography and climate of the Auburndale area make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The flat terrain and abundance of open spaces provide ideal conditions for solar farms. Areas to the east and west of Auburndale, where there are fewer lakes and more expansive agricultural lands, would be particularly well-suited for such projects. The region's high number of sunny days per year further enhances its suitability for solar energy production. However, developers would need to consider factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and potential environmental impacts, particularly on wetland areas. Areas near major roads like US Highway 92 or State Road 570 might be advantageous for solar installations due to existing infrastructure and easier access. Additionally, former agricultural lands or unused industrial sites could be repurposed for solar farms, providing an economic boost to the region while utilizing otherwise unproductive land. While the immediate vicinity of Auburndale offers good potential for solar PV, developers might find even more suitable locations in the slightly higher and drier areas of the Central Florida Ridge to the east, where there are fewer wetlands and a reduced risk of flooding.

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.