Solar PV Analysis of Dade City, United States
Dade City, Florida, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 28.3323, -82.2507, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar PV production varies across seasons, with some periods being more favorable than others.
During the spring and summer months, Dade City experiences peak solar energy production. Spring yields an impressive 6.86 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity, while summer produces a robust 6.14 kWh per day. These seasons provide ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy output, thanks to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
Autumn and winter see a decrease in solar energy production, though still maintaining respectable levels. Autumn generates 4.85 kWh per day, and winter produces 4.05 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. While these figures are lower than the spring and summer outputs, they still contribute significantly to year-round energy generation.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Dade City, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 25 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Dade City's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Hurricanes and tropical storms: Florida's susceptibility to these weather events can pose a risk to solar installations.
- High humidity: The area's humid climate may lead to increased dust accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and regularly clean the panels to maintain optimal performance. Additionally, investing in high-quality, weather-resistant solar equipment can help ensure longevity and consistent energy production despite challenging environmental conditions.
Overall, Dade City's location provides a favorable setting for solar energy generation throughout the year, with spring and summer offering peak production periods. By implementing appropriate installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar PV systems in this area can effectively harness the abundant sunlight and contribute significantly to renewable energy production.
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 Dade City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.3323, Longitude: -82.2507 (Dade City, 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 25° South in Dade City, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dade City, United States (Lat/Long 28.3323, -82.2507) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Dade City, 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 Dade City, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° South in Summer | 34° South in Autumn | 44° South in Winter | 21° 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 Dade City, 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 Dade City, 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 Dade City, United States
The topography around Dade City, Florida, is characterized by gently rolling hills and a mixture of flat and slightly undulating terrain. This area is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain, which extends across much of Florida and other southeastern states. The landscape is dotted with numerous small lakes, ponds, and wetlands, creating a diverse ecosystem.
The elevation in and around Dade City ranges from about 60 to 200 feet above sea level, with the highest points typically found on the ridges and hills. These modest elevation changes contribute to the area's pleasant, varied scenery. The region also features a mix of open grasslands, agricultural fields, and patches of forest, primarily consisting of pine and oak trees.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically include:
- Flat or gently sloping land: The areas to the west and southwest of Dade City, where the terrain becomes flatter as it approaches the Gulf Coast, could be suitable.
- Open spaces with minimal shading: Agricultural lands or former pastures that are no longer in use would be prime candidates for solar development.
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure: Areas near major power lines or substations would be advantageous for connecting to the grid.
- Land with lower ecological value: Avoiding wetlands and sensitive habitats would be important for minimizing environmental impact.
Based on these criteria, the most promising areas for large-scale solar PV installations near Dade City would likely be found in the more open, agricultural lands to the west and northwest of the city. These areas tend to have flatter terrain and larger parcels of land that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. However, it's important to note that any specific site selection would require detailed environmental and feasibility studies to ensure suitability and compliance with local regulations.
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 13th of September 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.
