Solar PV Analysis of Clover, United States
Clover, South Carolina, in the United States is a decent location for year-round solar energy production. However, it's not ideal as the amount of electricity generated from solar panels varies quite a bit with each season.
In simple terms, during summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity from your solar panels than in autumn and winter. Specifically, in summer you could get around 6.58 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. In spring this drops slightly to about 5.99 kWh/day per kW.
Autumn sees further reduction where you'd likely get around 4.47 kWh/day per kW while winter would be the least productive time with only about 2.87 kWh/day per kW expected.
To optimize total yearly energy production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, your panels should ideally be tilted at an angle facing 31 degrees South if they are fixed and cannot move to track the sun.
As far as local factors that could potentially impede solar production here go; Clover is located in an area known for its moderate climate but does experience some seasonal weather changes which may affect output such as cloud cover during different seasons or potential snowfall in winter which might cover panels temporarily reducing their effectiveness.
To mitigate these issues when installing a PV system in Clover:
1. Ensure regular maintenance: Regular cleaning of the panels will ensure maximum sunlight absorption especially after snowfall or heavy dust accumulation.
2. Install Snow Guards: If snow accumulation is significant on rooftops during winters then consider installing snow guards that prevent large amounts of snow sliding onto your PV modules.
3.Installation Angle: The optimal tilt angle has already been mentioned but do remember that angling your panel helps not just with maximizing exposure to sunlight but also allows rainwater to wash away debris and even helps shed snow.
In conclusion, while Clover isn't the 'perfect' location for solar power due to seasonal variations in sunlight, it can still be a good option especially if you take some preventative measures.
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 3028 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 Clover
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.1046, Longitude: -81.2168 (Clover, 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 Clover, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clover, United States (Lat/Long 35.1046, -81.2168) 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 Clover, 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 Clover, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 50° 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 Clover, 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 Clover, 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 Clover, United States
Clover is located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina, United States. The topography around Clover is mostly characterized by rolling hills and flat plains with a moderate elevation, making it suitable for various types of development including solar farms.
The areas most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would be those with open and flat terrain to maximize sunlight exposure and minimize shading. These could include agricultural lands or other undeveloped lands that are not shaded by trees or buildings.
In terms of specific nearby areas, York County (where Clover is located) has already seen several large-scale solar projects. Other potential locations could include the surrounding counties such as Gaston County to the north-west (across the state border in North Carolina), Mecklenburg County to the north-east, Lancaster County to the east, Chester County to the south-east and Cherokee county to west - provided they have suitable land available.
However, feasibility of solar PV will also depend on factors like local weather patterns (amount of sun hours), local regulations regarding renewable energy installations, grid connectivity/accessibility etc., which should be considered during site selection process.
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 26th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
