Solar PV Analysis of Dacula, United States
Dacula, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at latitude 33.9916 and longitude -83.8901, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Production
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.35 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.14 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.54 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.92 kWh/day, which is still considerable for solar energy generation.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. Despite the winter dip, Dacula's location allows for consistent solar energy generation throughout the year, making it a suitable site for solar PV installations.
Optimal Panel Tilt
For fixed-panel installations in Dacula, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun and lower winter sun angles.
Environmental Considerations
While Dacula's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and rare tornadoes, which may require robust mounting systems.
- Humid subtropical climate, which can lead to accelerated degradation of equipment if not properly maintained.
To mitigate these factors, installers should use high-quality, weather-resistant components and implement regular maintenance schedules. Additionally, incorporating microinverters or power optimizers can help minimize the impact of partial shading from nearby trees or structures, which is common in suburban areas like Dacula.
Overall, Dacula's location presents a good opportunity for solar PV installations, with strong production potential throughout most of the year and manageable environmental challenges.
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 Dacula
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.9916, Longitude: -83.8901 (Dacula, 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 Dacula, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dacula, United States (Lat/Long 33.9916, -83.8901) 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 Dacula, 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 Dacula, 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 | 39° South in Autumn | 49° South in Winter | 26° 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 Dacula, 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 Dacula, 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 Dacula, United States
The topography around Dacula, Georgia, in the United States, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Piedmont region. This area is situated between the flat coastal plains to the southeast and the more rugged Appalachian Mountains to the northwest. The landscape features a mix of open fields, wooded areas, and small streams that wind through the terrain.
Dacula itself sits at an elevation of around 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level. The surrounding area has modest variations in elevation, with hills rising to about 1,100 to 1,200 feet (335 to 365 meters) in some places. These elevation changes are generally gradual, creating a pleasant, undulating landscape rather than steep or dramatic slopes.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the open, relatively flat spaces in the vicinity of Dacula. Ideal locations would include former agricultural lands or large cleared areas that are not heavily forested. These sites would offer the advantage of minimal land preparation and reduced shading from trees or other obstacles.
Specifically, areas to the east and southeast of Dacula might be more suitable for solar installations. These regions tend to have more open space and slightly flatter terrain compared to the more developed areas closer to Atlanta to the west. The gentle slopes in these areas can actually be beneficial for solar panels, as they can be oriented to maximize sun exposure throughout the day.
It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar development, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV projects in the Dacula 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: Friday 4th of October 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.
