The location in Dickson, Tennessee, United States (36.0758, -87.4) offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal changes that affect solar PV output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.48 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.64 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.09 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.47 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of changing sun angles and daylight hours throughout the year. Late spring through early fall represents the ideal period for solar energy generation at this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production, fixed panels should be tilted at a 31-degree angle facing south. This orientation balances the varying sun positions across seasons, optimizing overall annual energy yield.

Environmental Considerations

While Dickson's climate is generally favorable for solar production, there are some factors to consider:

• Occasional severe weather events, such as thunderstorms or tornadoes, could potentially damage solar installations.
• The region's humidity might lead to faster degradation of solar equipment if not properly maintained.

To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems. Regular maintenance and cleaning can help prevent issues related to humidity or debris accumulation. Additionally, installing a robust lightning protection system can safeguard the solar array during severe weather events.

Overall, while not ideal year-round, Dickson, Tennessee offers good potential for solar energy generation, particularly during the warmer months. With proper installation and maintenance, a solar PV system can provide significant energy output in this location.

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 Dickson

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.0758, Longitude: -87.4 (Dickson, 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 Dickson, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dickson, United States (Lat/Long 36.0758, -87.4) 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 Dickson, 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 Dickson, 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	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 Dickson, 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 Dickson, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Dickson, United States

The area around Dickson, Tennessee, located at approximately 36.0758° N latitude and 87.4° W longitude, features a diverse topography characteristic of the western Highland Rim region. This landscape is marked by gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and scattered plateaus. The terrain gradually transitions from the flatter areas near the city center to more undulating countryside as you move outward. Dickson sits at an elevation of around 800 feet above sea level, with the surrounding land rising and falling in a series of modest hills and ridges. The area is dotted with small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys over time, creating a patchwork of elevated and low-lying areas. Dense deciduous forests cover much of the undeveloped land, interspersed with cleared fields and pastures used for agriculture.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Dickson, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those that offer relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and easy access to existing infrastructure. The agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Dickson present promising opportunities for solar development. These areas often feature larger, open fields with minimal shading from trees or buildings. The gentle slopes in these regions can actually be beneficial for solar panels, as they can be oriented to maximize sun exposure throughout the day. Another potentially suitable area lies to the northwest of Dickson, where there are some broader, flatter expanses of land. These areas, while still featuring some rolling terrain, offer larger contiguous spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. It's important to note that while the hilly nature of the region might seem challenging for solar development, modern solar panel technologies can adapt to various terrain types. However, developers would need to carefully assess each potential site for factors such as soil stability, drainage patterns, and potential environmental impacts. Any large-scale solar project would also need to consider proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, as well as local zoning regulations and community preferences. The areas closest to major roads and power lines would likely be the most economically viable for such developments.

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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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.