Goldsboro, North Carolina, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 35.3664 and longitude -77.9221 provides a good balance of sunlight across the seasons, making it a viable location for solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy generation in Goldsboro varies significantly across the seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.56 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.07 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.46 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.78 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this region. However, the relatively high output during spring and autumn helps to balance the overall yearly production.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Goldsboro, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 31 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 and Weather Considerations

While Goldsboro's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Humidity: The region's humid subtropical climate can lead to increased cloud cover, potentially reducing solar efficiency.
• Hurricanes: Being in a coastal state, Goldsboro may occasionally experience hurricanes or tropical storms, which could damage solar installations if not properly secured.

To mitigate these factors, solar installations should include robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help combat efficiency loss due to humidity-related dust accumulation.

Despite these challenges, Goldsboro's location remains suitable for solar energy production. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide a reliable source of renewable energy throughout the year.

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 Goldsboro

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3664, Longitude: -77.9221 (Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Goldsboro, United States (Lat/Long 35.3664, -77.9221) 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 Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro, United States

The topography around Goldsboro, North Carolina, is characterized by gently rolling hills and flat plains typical of the Coastal Plain region of the eastern United States. The area is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from about 50 to 150 feet above sea level. The landscape is dotted with numerous small streams and creeks that flow into larger rivers, such as the Neuse River, which runs just north of Goldsboro. The terrain in and around Goldsboro is predominantly flat to slightly undulating, with occasional shallow valleys and low ridges. This relatively level landscape is a result of centuries of erosion and sediment deposition from ancient seas that once covered the area. The soil is generally sandy and well-drained, with some areas of loamy or clayey soil. Vegetation in the region consists of mixed hardwood forests, pine plantations, and agricultural fields. Many of the forested areas have been cleared for farming or urban development, leaving a patchwork of wooded areas interspersed with open fields and residential neighborhoods.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

Given the topography and land use patterns around Goldsboro, several areas nearby would be well-suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations: Agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Goldsboro offer expansive, flat terrain ideal for solar farms. These areas receive ample sunlight and have minimal shading from natural features or structures. The existing road network in these rural areas would facilitate access for construction and maintenance. Former tobacco fields, which are abundant in the region, could be repurposed for solar energy production. These lands are typically flat, clear of obstructions, and already connected to local infrastructure. Areas to the southwest of Goldsboro, towards Mount Olive, feature gently sloping terrain that could be advantageous for solar panel placement. The slight incline can help optimize the angle of the panels for maximum sun exposure throughout the day. Brownfield sites or abandoned industrial areas near Goldsboro could be excellent locations for solar installations. These areas are often already cleared, have existing infrastructure connections, and their redevelopment for solar energy could provide environmental and economic benefits to the community. It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable for solar PV development, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as proximity to power transmission lines, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in selecting optimal sites for large-scale solar projects in the Goldsboro area.

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.