Cheraw, South Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at latitude 34.6977 and longitude -79.8834, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations.

The solar production in Cheraw follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, delivering an impressive 6.49 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.11 kWh/day. Autumn production drops to a moderate 4.46 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.82 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

Seasonal Performance

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the seasonal nature of solar generation in this region. Summer months (June through August) offer nearly 2.3 times more energy than winter months (December through February). Spring and summer together represent the optimal production period, spanning roughly from March through August.

For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximize total year-round production is 30 degrees facing South. This specific angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations in sun position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Cheraw. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate that presents certain challenges:

• Humidity and summer thunderstorms can temporarily reduce solar output during the otherwise most productive months
• Tree coverage and pollen common in South Carolina may accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency if not regularly cleaned
• Occasional tropical storm systems moving inland from the Atlantic coast can bring extended periods of cloud cover
• Winter ice storms, though infrequent, can completely halt production until panels thaw and clear

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Cheraw should incorporate several preventative measures. Panels should be installed with sufficient elevation and angle to promote natural cleaning from rainfall. A regular maintenance schedule for manual cleaning is advisable, particularly during pollen season and after storms. Additionally, microinverter or power optimizer technology can help minimize production losses when portions of the array are shaded or affected by debris.

Despite these considerations, Cheraw's location provides a solid annual solar resource that makes PV installations financially viable for most residential and commercial applications, especially when properly designed to account for local conditions.

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 Cheraw

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.6977, Longitude: -79.8834 (Cheraw, 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 30° South in Cheraw, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cheraw, United States (Lat/Long 34.6977, -79.8834) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, United States

Cheraw, located in South Carolina, United States, sits in a region characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the upper coastal plain. The town itself is positioned along the Pee Dee River, which forms a significant natural feature in the local landscape. The elevation in Cheraw averages around 150 feet (46 meters) above sea level, with minimal dramatic changes in elevation throughout the immediate area. The topographical character of the region surrounding Cheraw features a mix of flat plains and subtle hills, transitioning from the Piedmont region to the northwest toward the Atlantic Coastal Plain to the southeast. The land gradually slopes downward as one moves toward the coast. This transition zone creates a varied but generally moderate landscape without extreme elevation changes or rugged terrain.

Waterways and Natural Features

The Pee Dee River flows through the eastern portion of Cheraw, creating a natural boundary. Several smaller streams and creeks feed into this river system, creating shallow valleys and occasional floodplains. These waterways have historically shaped the local topography, carving gentle depressions in the otherwise relatively flat terrain. The area also contains scattered wetlands and marshy areas, particularly along the river corridors. These low-lying areas contrast with the slightly higher, drier lands that make up most of the region. The combination of these features creates a subtle mosaic of elevations and soil types.

Vegetation and Land Use

The natural vegetation around Cheraw consists primarily of mixed pine and hardwood forests, with agricultural clearings and urban development interrupting the woodland cover. Many of the flatter upland areas have historically been converted to agricultural use, while steeper slopes and river corridors often retain their forest cover.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Cheraw would be the gently sloping or flat uplands that are currently used for agriculture or are otherwise cleared of dense forest. These areas offer several advantages: The relatively flat terrain reduces the costs associated with grading and site preparation. The moderate slopes found throughout much of the region provide natural drainage without creating challenges for construction or panel placement. Additionally, many of these areas already have reduced tree cover, minimizing the environmental impact and costs of clearing. Specifically, the agricultural lands to the west and southwest of Cheraw present prime opportunities for solar development. These areas typically feature open expanses with minimal shading obstacles and favorable drainage patterns. The slightly elevated plateaus away from the Pee Dee River floodplain offer stable ground conditions while avoiding wetland areas that would be problematic for development. Areas to avoid would include the floodplains along the Pee Dee River and its tributaries, as well as identified wetland areas. These locations present flooding risks and environmental sensitivity that make them poorly suited for large infrastructure projects like solar farms. The southeastern portions of Chesterfield County, where Cheraw is located, offer particularly promising conditions with their combination of suitable topography, existing cleared land, and proximity to transmission infrastructure. The gently rolling terrain in this direction provides sufficient tilt for natural panel cleaning during rainfall events while requiring minimal specialized mounting systems to accommodate topographical variations.

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

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.