Solar PV Analysis of Engelhard, United States
The location at Engelhard, North Carolina, in the United States is pretty good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. However, it's not perfect all year round. In simple terms, a solar PV system installed here will produce more electricity during some parts of the year than others.
In summer and spring, when there's lots of sunlight and longer days, you can expect to generate around 6.34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 6.07 kWh per day respectively for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar PV capacity. This means that these seasons are ideal times to generate solar power at this location because you'll get more bang for your buck from your solar panels.
On the other hand, in autumn and winter when there are shorter days and less sunlight due to cloud cover or foggy conditions, you can expect lower output levels - about 4.39 kWh/day in autumn and even less at 2.80 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed capacity.
To make sure that your panels capture as much sunlight as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing towards South if they're fixed installations - this is found to be the best angle for maximizing total yearly production from solar PV systems at this particular location.
As far as local factors that could impact your ability to generate solar power go: Engelhard experiences a humid subtropical climate with high humidity levels which might result in cloudy or foggy weather conditions especially during late fall/winter months potentially reducing sun exposure on certain days but overall shouldn't significantly impede production.
Preventative measures include regular cleaning/maintenance of your panels to keep them free from dust build-up which could obstruct sunlight; also consider smart positioning away from shaded areas caused by trees or buildings nearby where possible.
Remember though that while these figures give us an idea about the average output, actual daily figures can vary based on specific weather conditions on that day.
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 Engelhard
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5118, Longitude: -76.0331 (Engelhard, 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 Engelhard, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Engelhard, United States (Lat/Long 35.5118, -76.0331) 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 Engelhard, 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 Engelhard, 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 Engelhard, 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 Engelhard, 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 Engelhard, United States
Engelhard is located in Hyde County, North Carolina, United States. The topography around Engelhard is generally flat with low-lying areas as it's situated on the inner banks of Pamlico Sound. This area is part of the Atlantic coastal plain and thus has a relatively uniform elevation.
In terms of solar PV suitability, large-scale solar farms require open and flat land for optimal operation. Given Engelhard's geographical features, there are potentially suitable locations for this type of installation especially in agricultural fields or other open lands that receive ample sunlight throughout the year.
However, specific site selection would still need to consider factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to power transmission lines, potential environmental impacts (e.g., on local wildlife or wetlands), and possible effects on nearby residential areas.
Areas south and west of Engelhard could be particularly promising due to their broad expanses of open land. Yet again it would be necessary to conduct a detailed feasibility study before making any final decisions about where exactly to place large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 11th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
