Solar PV Analysis of Baxter, United States
Baxter, Tennessee, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into its potential for harnessing solar energy.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.40 kWh per day output for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.56 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease to 4.00 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.40 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Baxter enjoys strong solar potential during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early fall. The extended daylight hours and higher sun angles during this period contribute significantly to the increased energy production.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Baxter, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 31-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Baxter's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Seasonal weather patterns: The region experiences occasional severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, which could temporarily reduce solar output or potentially damage equipment if not properly secured.
- Tree coverage: The area's vegetation might cast shadows on solar panels, reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these potential issues, consider the following measures when installing solar panels in Baxter:
- Use sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand high winds and severe weather conditions.
- Conduct a thorough site assessment to identify and minimize potential shading from trees or nearby structures.
- Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to ensure optimal panel performance, especially after storms or during periods of high pollen or dust.
Overall, while Baxter faces some challenges, its location still offers good potential for solar energy production, particularly during the warmer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a viable and efficient source of renewable energy in this Tennessee town.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Baxter
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.1537, Longitude: -85.6436 (Baxter, 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 31° South in Baxter, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Baxter, United States (Lat/Long 36.1537, -85.6436) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 29° 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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Baxter, United States
The area around Baxter, Tennessee, located at 36.1537°N and 85.6436°W, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography typical of the eastern Highland Rim region of the state. This landscape is marked by gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and occasional plateaus, creating a pleasant mix of elevations and contours.
The terrain in and around Baxter features a combination of open fields, pastures, and forested areas. The elevation generally ranges from about 900 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with some higher points reaching up to 1,400 feet in the surrounding hills. The area is also dotted with numerous small streams and creeks that wind their way through the countryside, eventually feeding into larger water bodies like the Caney Fork River to the south.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors need to be considered. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure throughout the day. In the vicinity of Baxter, some of the more suitable areas might include:
1. Open agricultural fields to the north and east of Baxter, where the terrain tends to be flatter and less forested. These areas often have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels.
2. Elevated plateaus or hilltops in the surrounding region, particularly those with southern-facing slopes. These locations can provide excellent sun exposure and potentially higher energy yields.
3. Former industrial or brownfield sites in nearby towns or cities, which may offer large, flat areas that are already cleared and have existing infrastructure connections.
It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to power grid infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning a large-scale solar PV installation. Additionally, a detailed site-specific assessment would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations for such a project in the Baxter area.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 10th of October 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
