Solar PV Analysis of Baytown, United States
The location in Baytown, Texas, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its latitude and longitude of 29.7467, -94.9638, this area receives a substantial amount of sunlight, making it a promising site for solar power production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panel performance varies across the four meteorological seasons at this location. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.61 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.44 kWh per day. Autumn sees a slight decrease in production, yielding 4.85 kWh daily. Winter, as expected, has the lowest output at 3.38 kWh per day, but still contributes significantly to the overall annual energy production.
Optimal Panel Installation
For those considering a fixed panel installation at this location, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 26 degrees tilted towards the South. This angle has been carefully calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the site's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While the location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area's proximity to the coast means it may be subject to tropical storms and hurricanes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to use sturdy mounting systems and panels designed to withstand high winds. Additionally, the flat, low-lying terrain may be prone to flooding, so elevating the solar array or choosing slightly higher ground for installation would be advisable.
The region's humid subtropical climate can lead to frequent cloud cover, particularly during spring and autumn. While this doesn't significantly impair overall production, it's worth considering when estimating energy output. Regular cleaning of the panels may also be necessary due to potential dust and pollen accumulation, which is common in the area.
Conclusion
Despite these challenges, the location in Baytown, Texas, remains a strong candidate for solar PV energy generation. With proper planning and preventative measures, such as robust installation techniques and regular maintenance, the site can capitalize on its abundant sunlight and produce substantial clean energy throughout the year.
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 Baytown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 29.7467, Longitude: -94.9638 (Baytown, 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 26° South in Baytown, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Baytown, United States (Lat/Long 29.7467, -94.9638) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 26° 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 Baytown, 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 Baytown, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 26° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° South in Summer | 35° South in Autumn | 45° South in Winter | 23° 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 Baytown, 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 Baytown, 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 Baytown, United States
Baytown, Texas, located at 29.7467°N, 94.9638°W, is situated in the Gulf Coastal Plain region of the United States. The topography of the area around Baytown is characterized by the following features:
1. Flat terrain: The area is predominantly flat with very little elevation change, typical of coastal plains.
2. Low elevation: The average elevation in Baytown is around 30 feet (9 meters) above sea level.
3. Coastal wetlands: The region includes numerous wetlands, marshes, and swamps, particularly along the coast and near water bodies.
4. Water bodies: Baytown is situated near several significant water features, including Galveston Bay, the Houston Ship Channel, and the San Jacinto River.
5. Artificial features: The area has been significantly modified by human activity, including industrial development, oil refineries, and urban expansion.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors should be considered:
1. Open, flat land: Areas with minimal topographical variation are ideal for solar farms.
2. Proximity to existing infrastructure: Locations near power transmission lines and substations are preferable.
3. Minimal environmental impact: Areas that are not ecologically sensitive or protected wetlands would be more suitable.
4. Reduced flood risk: Higher ground away from flood-prone areas would be advantageous.
5. Adequate sunlight exposure: Areas with minimal shading from trees or structures are ideal.
Considering these factors, some potentially suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Baytown might include:
1. Agricultural land to the north and northeast of Baytown, such as areas near Mont Belvieu or Crosby.
2. Open spaces between Baytown and Houston, particularly in less developed areas along major highways.
3. Reclaimed or unused industrial land that meets environmental safety standards.
4. Areas to the northwest of Baytown, towards Highlands and Channelview, where there might be suitable open spaces.
5. Carefully selected locations in Liberty County to the northeast, where there is more open land available.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies, land use regulations, and grid connection feasibility. Additionally, the region's susceptibility to hurricanes and flooding should be carefully considered in the planning and design of any solar installation.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 17th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
