Solar PV Analysis of Clayton, United States
Based on the information given, Clayton, North Carolina is a pretty good location for solar energy production throughout the year. However, it's not perfect all year round. The amount of electricity that can be generated varies depending on the season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity - around 6.60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 6.05 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This is because these seasons generally have longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
In autumn, you will see a decrease to about 4.48 kWh/day per kW installed as days start to shorten and sunlight becomes less intense.
Winter sees the lowest output at approximately 2.82 kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and lower intensity of sunlight typical during this season.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Clayton, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing South for maximum exposure to sun rays across different times of day and seasons.
As far as local factors that could affect solar production go: Clayton's weather patterns could include cloud cover or storms which may reduce sunlight exposure temporarily; trees or other structures might cast shadows over panels reducing their efficiency; dust or debris might accumulate on panel surfaces obstructing light absorption etc.. These are common issues with solar installations anywhere though, not just specific to Clayton.
Preventative measures would include choosing an installation site with minimal shading from nearby structures or vegetation; regular cleaning/maintenance schedule for removing any dirt/debris from panel surfaces; installing additional equipment like trackers that allow panels move along with sun’s position during day time ensuring optimal exposure etc..
Remember though - while these measures can help improve overall efficiency they also add extra costs so one must consider whether potential increase in output justifies those costs when planning their installation!
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 Clayton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6353, Longitude: -78.4503 (Clayton, 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 Clayton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clayton, United States (Lat/Long 35.6353, -78.4503) 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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, 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 | 28° 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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, United States
Clayton is located in the state of North Carolina, United States. The topography around Clayton is generally flat to gently rolling, with some areas of low hills. This region is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions.
As for solar PV suitability, large-scale photovoltaic installations require a few key conditions: ample sunlight, relatively flat terrain for easy installation and maintenance, and proximity to power transmission lines. Given these requirements, there are several areas near Clayton that could be well-suited:
1. Johnston County: This county includes Clayton and has plenty of open farmland that could potentially be converted into solar farms.
2. Wake County: Located to the west of Johnston County (and including Raleigh), this area also has ample open space suitable for solar installations.
3. Sampson County: To the south-east of Johnston County, Sampson also offers large tracts of rural land ideal for setting up solar panels.
However, it's important to note that while these areas might be geographically suited for large-scale PV systems based on their physical characteristics (sunlight incidence & terrain), other factors such as local regulations/zoning laws or environmental impacts should also be considered before planning any such project.
Finally remember that detailed site-specific studies would need to be conducted by professionals in order to definitively determine suitability for large scale solar PV installations.
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: Sunday 14th of July 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.
