Dudley, North Carolina, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a reasonably good location for generating solar energy throughout the year, though with significant seasonal variations. The site produces an average of 6.60 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity during summer months, demonstrating the location's peak generating potential.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar production at this Dudley location follows predictable seasonal patterns. Summer naturally provides the highest energy output at 6.60 kWh/day per installed kilowatt, followed closely by spring with 6.03 kWh/day. Production drops considerably in autumn to 4.42 kWh/day, with winter seeing the lowest generation at just 2.75 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern indicates that from late March through September, the Dudley location performs quite well for solar generation. The substantial drop during winter months means annual production is somewhat unbalanced, with approximately 60% of annual energy being generated during the spring and summer seasons combined.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed-panel solar installations at this North Carolina location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing the daily solar elevation at this latitude, weighted by the solar generation potential throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production at this Dudley location:

• Hurricane and severe storm exposure: North Carolina's eastern region experiences hurricane season from June through November, which can bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Solar installations should use hurricane-rated mounting systems and panels rated for high wind loads.
• Humidity and moisture: The relatively humid climate can accelerate degradation of electrical components. Using marine-grade wiring, corrosion-resistant mounting hardware, and ensuring proper sealing of all connections is recommended.
• Tree coverage and shading: The rural setting may include tall trees that could cast shadows on panels. A thorough shade analysis should be conducted before installation, with selective trimming where necessary.
• Pollen and agricultural dust: Being in a rural agricultural area, seasonal pollen and dust can accumulate on panels. Self-cleaning panels or regular maintenance schedules can help mitigate production losses.

With proper system design accounting for these factors, solar PV systems in Dudley can still achieve very good production levels, particularly during the extended warm seasons that make up most of the year in this temperate climate.

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 Dudley

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.2674, Longitude: -78.0375 (Dudley, 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 Dudley, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dudley, United States (Lat/Long 35.2674, -78.0375) 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 Dudley, 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 Dudley, 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	51° 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 Dudley, 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 Dudley, 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 Dudley, United States

Dudley, located in Wayne County, North Carolina, sits within the Coastal Plain region of the state. This area is characterized by a relatively flat topography, with gentle undulations rather than dramatic changes in elevation. The landscape around Dudley features low-lying terrain with elevations typically ranging from about 30 to 60 meters (100 to 200 feet) above sea level. The topographical profile of the region is defined by subtle slopes and broad, open expanses. Unlike the western parts of North Carolina, which include the foothills and mountains of the Appalachian range, this eastern section of the state lacks significant hills or valleys. The flat character of the land is a result of ancient geological processes when this area was once covered by a shallow sea, leaving behind sedimentary deposits that created the current level landscape.

Waterways and Natural Features

Several waterways meander through the vicinity of Dudley, including the Neuse River basin tributaries. These waterways have gradually shaped the subtle contours of the land over millennia. The region also contains scattered wetland areas and small ponds, particularly in lower-lying sections where natural drainage is slower. The natural vegetation consists primarily of mixed pine and hardwood forests in undeveloped areas, with agricultural fields dominating much of the landscape. The soil composition tends toward sandy loams, typical of the Coastal Plain region.

Solar PV Suitability in the Surrounding Area

The flat topography around Dudley presents favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Areas most suited for solar development would include: The agricultural lands to the east and south of Dudley offer excellent potential for solar farms. These areas feature minimal shading obstructions, level terrain that requires little grading, and existing road access. The predominantly open farmland provides large, contiguous parcels that could accommodate substantial solar arrays without significant land modification costs. The slightly elevated areas northwest of Dudley, where the land rises gently, would also be well-suited for solar installations. These subtle rises often experience less seasonal flooding risk compared to the lowest-lying areas in the region, making them more reliable for year-round energy production. Former tobacco fields and other agricultural lands currently in transition present opportunities for solar development. The conversion of these properties would align with the ongoing economic shifts in the region as traditional farming practices evolve. Areas with minimal tree cover require less clearing and site preparation, reducing both environmental impact and development costs. The flat nature of the terrain throughout the region minimizes erosion concerns during construction and operation of solar facilities. The rural character of much of the surrounding landscape also means there are fewer viewshed concerns or residential neighborhoods that might oppose nearby solar development. Properties adjacent to existing electrical infrastructure, including transmission lines that run through the county, would further reduce interconnection costs for new solar projects. The sandy loam soils typical of the region are generally favorable for the installation of mounting systems used in solar farms, requiring less extensive foundation work than would be necessary in rockier terrains found elsewhere in North Carolina.

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

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.