Solar PV Analysis of Harborton, United States
Harborton, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, presenting both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.
Seasonal Solar Output
Solar panels in Harborton can expect to generate varying amounts of electricity depending on the season. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.68 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 6.05 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 4.18 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.49 kWh/day.
Ideal Generation Periods
The most favorable times for solar energy production in Harborton are during the spring and summer months. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies, maximizing the potential for solar generation. The period from late March through early September is particularly advantageous for solar PV systems in this location.
Panel Tilt Optimization
To maximize year-round solar production in Harborton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated considering the location's latitude and seasonal variations in solar elevation, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Harborton's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact system performance:
- Coastal weather patterns: Being close to the Atlantic coast, Harborton may experience frequent cloud cover and occasional storms, which can temporarily reduce solar output.
- Humidity: The area's relatively high humidity levels could lead to increased dust and pollen accumulation on panels, potentially affecting their efficiency.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these environmental factors and ensure optimal solar production, consider implementing the following measures:
- Regular panel cleaning to remove dust, pollen, and salt spray
- Installing micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
- Using high-quality, weather-resistant panels designed to withstand coastal conditions
- Implementing a robust monitoring system to quickly identify and address any performance issues
By taking these precautions, solar PV installations in Harborton can maximize their energy production potential and overcome the challenges posed by local environmental 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 Harborton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.664, Longitude: -75.8262 (Harborton, 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 33° South in Harborton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harborton, United States (Lat/Long 37.664, -75.8262) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Harborton, 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 Harborton, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 30° 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 Harborton, 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 Harborton, 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 Harborton, United States
The area around Harborton, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, is characterized by relatively flat, low-lying terrain typical of coastal regions. Harborton itself sits near the western shore of the Delmarva Peninsula, facing the Chesapeake Bay. The landscape is predominantly composed of coastal plains with minimal elevation changes.
The topography in this region is marked by a mix of agricultural fields, marshlands, and scattered wooded areas. Small creeks and tidal inlets cut through the landscape, creating a network of waterways that drain into the Chesapeake Bay. The land is generally only a few meters above sea level, with gentle slopes and occasional slight rises.
To the east of Harborton, the terrain remains fairly level as it stretches towards the Atlantic coast. This area is characterized by a mix of farmland and natural habitats, including forests and wetlands. The coastline itself features barrier islands and extensive salt marshes, which provide important ecosystems for local wildlife.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat terrain and open spaces in the agricultural regions surrounding Harborton offer potential. The most promising locations would likely be found inland, away from the immediate coastal areas and wetlands. Ideal sites would include large, cleared agricultural fields or fallow land that receives ample sunlight throughout the day.
Areas to the north and south of Harborton, where there are expansive farming operations, could be particularly well-suited for solar development. These locations often have the necessary infrastructure, such as roads and power lines, to support large-scale energy projects. Additionally, using agricultural land for solar installations can provide farmers with an alternative source of income while allowing for continued partial agricultural use in some cases.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development in this region would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly on local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. The proximity to sensitive coastal areas and the Chesapeake Bay would require thorough environmental assessments and adherence to local, state, and federal regulations before any project could move forward.
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: Thursday 17th of October 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.
