Solar PV Analysis of Cookeville, United States
Cookeville, Tennessee, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 36.2155 and longitude -85.5426 provides varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Cookeville experiences significant fluctuations across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.40 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.56 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production, generating 4.00 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.40 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal times for solar energy production in Cookeville are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when daylight hours are longest and sun angle is highest. Spring months, particularly April and May, also offer excellent solar potential. While autumn can still provide decent energy output, production begins to taper off as days grow shorter. Winter months, especially December and January, are the least productive due to shorter days and lower sun angles.
Panel Installation Considerations
For fixed panel installations in Cookeville, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 31 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
While Cookeville's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Seasonal weather patterns: Tennessee experiences occasional severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, particularly in spring and summer. To mitigate risks, ensure panels are securely mounted and consider installing protective measures such as hail guards.
- Tree cover: Cookeville has a significant amount of vegetation. Conduct a thorough site assessment to minimize shading from trees, and consider tree trimming or removal if necessary to maximize sun exposure.
By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Cookeville can achieve optimal performance and longevity, making the most of the city's solar potential 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 Cookeville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.2155, Longitude: -85.5426 (Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cookeville, United States (Lat/Long 36.2155, -85.5426) 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 Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, 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 | 52° 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 Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, United States
The area around Cookeville, Tennessee, located at 36.2155°N and 85.5426°W, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography typical of the eastern Highland Rim region. This landscape is a transition zone between the flatter Nashville Basin to the west and the more rugged Cumberland Plateau to the east.
Cookeville itself sits on a relatively flat plateau, but the surrounding area features gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and some steeper terrain. The elevation in the region generally ranges from about 900 to 1,500 feet above sea level. The landscape is dotted with numerous small streams and creeks, which have carved out minor valleys over time.
To the east of Cookeville, the terrain becomes more dramatic as it approaches the western escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau. Here, you'll find more pronounced hills, deeper valleys, and some cliff-like formations. To the west and northwest, the topography gradually becomes less rugged, with broader valleys and more gentle slopes.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure. Given the topography around Cookeville, the most suitable areas would likely be found to the west and northwest of the city, where the terrain is less dramatic and there are more expansive, open areas.
Specifically, the rural areas between Cookeville and cities like Carthage or Gainesboro might offer promising locations. These areas tend to have more agricultural land and gentler slopes, which could be advantageous for solar panel installation. Additionally, some of the broader valley floors or plateau tops in the region could potentially accommodate large-scale solar projects.
However, it's important to note that while topography is a crucial factor, other considerations such as proximity to power infrastructure, local zoning laws, and environmental impact assessments would also play significant roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV installations in the area.
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 31st 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.
