Solar PV Analysis of Dunwoody, United States
Dunwoody, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 33.9707 and longitude -84.3247 provides ample sunlight for photovoltaic (PV) systems, although seasonal variations are notable.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy generation in Dunwoody peaks during the summer months, with an impressive daily output of 6.21 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring closely follows with 6.06 kWh/day, making these seasons ideal for maximum energy production. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.54 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.84 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar efficiency in this region. However, the relatively high output during spring and autumn contributes significantly to the overall annual energy generation, making solar PV a viable option year-round.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Dunwoody, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 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 Dunwoody's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and rare instances of tornadoes, could potentially damage solar installations.
- The region's humid subtropical climate may lead to increased dust and pollen accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
To mitigate these factors, it's advisable to install sturdy mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds and to implement regular cleaning routines for the panels. Additionally, considering micro-inverters or power optimizers can help maintain overall system performance even if individual panels are temporarily shaded or dirty.
In conclusion, Dunwoody's location provides a good balance for solar energy production throughout the year, with particularly strong performance from spring through autumn. While winter output is lower, it remains sufficient to contribute to overall energy needs, making solar PV a worthwhile investment for this area.
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 Dunwoody
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.9707, Longitude: -84.3247 (Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dunwoody, United States (Lat/Long 33.9707, -84.3247) 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 Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, United States
The topography around Dunwoody, Georgia, in the United States, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys. This area is part of the Piedmont region, which lies between the Appalachian Mountains to the north and the coastal plain to the south. The landscape features a mix of forested areas, suburban developments, and some open spaces.
Dunwoody itself sits at an elevation of around 1,100 feet (335 meters) above sea level. The terrain in the surrounding area generally ranges from about 900 to 1,200 feet (275 to 365 meters) in elevation. The land is not particularly steep or rugged, but it does have a noticeable undulating quality that is typical of the Piedmont region.
Several small creeks and streams run through the area, contributing to the gentle valleys that break up the rolling hills. These waterways are part of the Chattahoochee River watershed, with the river itself located a few miles to the west of Dunwoody.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, it's important to consider factors beyond just topography. However, focusing on the land features, the most suitable areas would likely be found in the more rural regions to the north and east of Dunwoody.
These areas, extending into parts of Gwinnett and Forsyth counties, have more open, flatter land that could potentially accommodate large solar arrays. The gently sloping terrain in these directions provides good opportunities for southern exposure, which is ideal for solar energy collection. Additionally, these areas have fewer tall buildings and dense urban development that could cast shadows or compete for land use.
It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of Dunwoody is quite developed, moving further out into the surrounding counties reveals more expansive plots of land that could be suitable for solar installations. However, any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider local zoning laws, environmental impacts, and grid connection possibilities, in addition to the topographical suitability of the land.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 17th of August 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.
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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.
