Solar PV Analysis of Brentwood, United States
Solar Energy Potential in Brentwood, Tennessee
Brentwood, Tennessee, located at latitude 36.0048 and longitude -86.7886 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy production. The location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output, which significantly impact the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year.
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.44 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high yield is attributed to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. Spring follows closely, generating 5.64 kWh per day, making it the second-best season for solar energy production in Brentwood.
Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, with 4.06 kWh per day. This reduction is due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky. Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy generation, with a daily output of only 2.51 kWh per kW installed. The significantly lower production during winter months is a result of shorter days, lower sun angles, and potentially more cloudy weather.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Brentwood, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 31 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Brentwood's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Occasional severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, which may cause damage to solar installations if not properly secured.
- Humid subtropical climate, which can lead to increased cloud cover, particularly in late spring and early summer.
To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and ensure proper installation with robust mounting systems. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the panels can also help maintain optimal performance, especially in humid conditions.
Despite these challenges, Brentwood's location offers a good opportunity for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early fall. With proper planning and installation, solar PV systems can provide a significant portion of a household's or business's energy needs throughout the year.
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 Brentwood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.0048, Longitude: -86.7886 (Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Brentwood, United States (Lat/Long 36.0048, -86.7886) 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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, United States
The topography around Brentwood, Tennessee (located at 36.0048°N, 86.7886°W) is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Nashville Basin region. This area is part of the larger Interior Low Plateaus physiographic province, which features a mix of flat to moderately hilly terrain.
Brentwood itself sits at an elevation of around 745 feet (227 meters) above sea level. The landscape surrounding the city consists of low, rounded hills interspersed with small streams and creeks. These hills generally have gentle slopes, with elevations varying by about 100 to 200 feet across the area. The terrain becomes slightly more rugged and elevated as you move east towards the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
To the west of Brentwood, the land gradually flattens out as it approaches the Nashville metropolitan area and the Cumberland River. This area features more open spaces and fewer hills, making it potentially more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV, several factors come into play:
- Flat or gently sloping land: Areas to the west and southwest of Brentwood, where the terrain is less hilly, would be more suitable for solar farms.
- Open spaces: Rural areas outside the immediate suburbs of Nashville and Brentwood offer more expansive, unobstructed land for solar panel placement.
- Proximity to power infrastructure: Locations near existing power lines and substations would be advantageous for connecting solar farms to the grid.
- Minimal shading: Areas with fewer trees and tall structures would be preferable to maximize sun exposure.
Based on these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be found in the more rural parts of Williamson County to the south and southwest of Brentwood, or in neighboring Maury County. These areas offer a combination of relatively flat terrain, open agricultural land, and less urban development, making them potentially ideal for solar energy projects.
However, it's important to note that specific site selection would require detailed environmental and technical assessments, as well as consideration of local zoning laws and regulations governing solar energy development.
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: Monday 2nd of September 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.
