Griffin, Georgia, in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal electricity output varies significantly, with summer delivering the highest production at 6.21kWh per day for each kilowatt installed, followed closely by spring at 6.04kWh/day. Autumn provides moderate generation at 4.49kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest output at 2.78kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Performance

The location demonstrates strong solar potential during the warmer months, with nearly identical performance in summer and spring. This creates an extended period of high productivity from approximately March through September. The significant drop in winter production (less than half of summer values) indicates that supplementary energy sources might be beneficial during the colder months.

For fixed panel installations at this Griffin location, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 29 degrees facing South. This specific tilt optimizes annual energy harvest by balancing seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors in Griffin may impact solar production. Georgia's humid subtropical climate brings occasional severe weather that requires consideration when installing solar systems:

• Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, particularly during summer months, can temporarily reduce solar output
• Potential hurricane impacts with strong winds, though Griffin's inland location reduces this risk compared to coastal areas
• Tree coverage in the region may create shading issues if not properly addressed during installation
• Pollen and dust accumulation on panels, especially during spring when Georgia experiences high pollen counts

To mitigate these factors, solar installations should include sturdy mounting systems rated for local wind conditions, strategic panel placement to minimize tree shading, and regular cleaning schedules, particularly after pollen season. Additionally, microinverters or power optimizers can help minimize production losses when partial shading occurs.

Overall, Griffin provides a good location for solar energy production, with particularly strong performance from March through September that can offset the reduced winter output.

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 Griffin

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.2406, Longitude: -84.2713 (Griffin, 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 29° South in Griffin, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Griffin, United States (Lat/Long 33.2406, -84.2713) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Griffin, 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 Griffin, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° 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 Griffin, 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 Griffin, 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 Griffin, United States

Griffin, Georgia is situated in the Piedmont region of the United States, characterized by gently rolling hills and modest elevation changes. The topography around Griffin features a mix of undulating terrain with elevations generally ranging between 800 and 1,000 feet above sea level. This landscape was formed over millions of years as the ancient Appalachian Mountains eroded, creating a transitional zone between the mountains to the north and the coastal plains to the south. The area contains numerous small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, creating a network of minor ridges and depressions. These waterways eventually feed into larger river systems like the Flint River, which flows southwest of Griffin. The natural drainage patterns have influenced the local topography, with slightly steeper slopes often found near these waterways. Vegetation in the region consists predominantly of mixed pine and hardwood forests, interspersed with cleared agricultural land and developed areas. This mixture of forest and open land creates a patchwork pattern across the landscape, with tree cover varying significantly from place to place.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas around Griffin would be the gently sloping, south-facing hillsides that receive minimal shading. These areas benefit from favorable sun exposure throughout the day, maximizing potential energy generation. Particularly promising locations include: The slightly elevated areas to the north and northeast of Griffin, where the land rises gradually and offers good southern exposure. These locations provide the ideal orientation for solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere. Former agricultural lands or cleared areas that offer large, continuous tracts of relatively flat terrain are especially valuable for solar development. These areas require minimal site preparation and avoid the costs associated with extensive tree clearing or grading. The regions west and southwest of Griffin also contain several expanses of open land with appropriate topographical features for solar installations. These areas balance the need for relatively flat terrain while still providing adequate drainage during heavy rainfall events. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes near streams and creeks, low-lying areas prone to flooding, and heavily forested sections that would require significant clearing. Additionally, wetland areas, which are scattered throughout the region, should be preserved rather than developed. The moderate relief of the Piedmont region around Griffin generally means that extensive earthwork isn't necessary for solar development, though some grading may be required to achieve optimal panel orientation. This relatively gentle topography, combined with the region's climate, makes the area around Griffin potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV development, particularly in locations that already feature cleared land with southern exposure.

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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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.