Solar PV Analysis of Durham, United States
Based on the data provided, Durham, North Carolina, United States could be a reasonable place for year-round solar energy generation. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the year, with the highest output in summer (6.63kWh/day) and the lowest in winter (2.70kWh/day). Spring and autumn fall somewhere in between.
In simpler terms, this means that during summer months you would get more bang for your buck with your installed solar panels because there's more sunlight available to convert into electricity. In contrast, winter months have less sunlight so you would generate less power from your solar panels during this time.
To maximize overall yearly production from a fixed panel installation at this location, it is recommended to tilt the panels at an angle of 32 degrees facing southward. This angle is calculated to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the day and various seasons.
As for local factors that might affect solar production in Durham:
1) Weather conditions such as frequent cloud cover or haze can reduce sun exposure and thus limit energy generation.
2) The presence of tall trees or buildings around your property could also cast shadows over your panels thereby reducing their effectiveness.
3) Topography is another factor; if you're located in a valley or on a north-facing slope where sunlight may be limited, this could also impact how much power you can generate.
To overcome these potential obstacles:
1) Clear any obstructions like tree branches or other structures that may shade your solar panels.
2) Consider installing additional equipment like tracking mounts which adjust panel direction according to sun position.
3) Lastly, ensure regular maintenance checks are performed to keep systems running efficiently - things like dust build-up can decrease performance over time.
So while Durham does have potential for generating solar power year-round due its location within Northern Temperate Zone and despite some seasonal variations; successful implementation will depend largely on careful planning considering local environmental and topographical factors.
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 Durham
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.0251, Longitude: -78.9217 (Durham, 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 32° South in Durham, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Durham, United States (Lat/Long 36.0251, -78.9217) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Durham, 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 Durham, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 Durham, 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 Durham, 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 Durham, United States
Durham, United States, is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. This area is characterized by rolling hills and relatively low-lying flatlands. The elevation ranges from about 100 to 400 feet above sea level. The soil in this region tends to be a mix of clay and loam.
The areas most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would typically be flat or gently sloping lands with minimal shading from trees or buildings. Given Durham's topography, there would likely be several suitable locations for such installations in the surrounding rural areas where land is more open and less developed.
It's also important to consider factors like local climate (the area receives ample sunlight throughout the year which is good), proximity to power grids for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity, as well as local zoning laws or other regulations that could impact the feasibility of large-scale solar projects.
Lastly, while physical characteristics are crucial when considering suitability for solar PV installations, it's equally important to factor in socio-economic variables such as cost of land, availability of skilled labor force etc.
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: Wednesday 7th of February 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.
