Hazel Green, Alabama, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.9323, -86.5719, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak performance during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.21 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.85 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 4.38 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.70 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy generation in Hazel Green. This variation is primarily due to changes in daylight hours and sun angle throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Hazel Green, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 30 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's varying positions across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Hazel Green's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

• Occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which may cause temporary disruptions or damage to solar installations.
• Humid subtropical climate, which can lead to increased cloud cover, potentially reducing solar irradiance.

To mitigate these challenges, it's advisable to use durable, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems. Regular maintenance and cleaning of panels can help offset the effects of humidity and ensure optimal performance. Additionally, incorporating a robust lightning protection system can safeguard the installation during severe weather events.

Despite these considerations, Hazel Green's location in the Northern Sub Tropics provides ample opportunity for effective solar energy generation, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can contribute significantly to renewable energy production throughout the year.

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 Hazel Green

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.9323, Longitude: -86.5719 (Hazel Green, 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 30° South in Hazel Green, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hazel Green, United States (Lat/Long 34.9323, -86.5719) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Hazel Green, 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 Hazel Green, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° 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	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Hazel Green, 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 Hazel Green, 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 Hazel Green, United States

The area surrounding Hazel Green, located in northern Alabama near the Tennessee border, features a diverse and gently rolling topography characteristic of the southern Appalachian foothills. The landscape is a mixture of low hills, shallow valleys, and flat plains, with elevations generally ranging from about 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The region is part of the Highland Rim, a physiographic section that forms a transitional zone between the Cumberland Plateau to the east and the flatter Tennessee Valley to the west. This area is known for its limestone bedrock, which has been eroded over time to create a karst topography with occasional sinkholes and underground cave systems.

Vegetation and Land Use

The natural vegetation in the Hazel Green area consists primarily of mixed deciduous forests, with oak, hickory, and pine trees being common. However, much of the land has been cleared for agricultural use, resulting in a patchwork of fields, pastures, and wooded areas. The region also features numerous small streams and creeks that flow through the gentle valleys.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Hazel Green for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be relatively flat or gently sloping areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or hills. Areas that have already been cleared for agriculture might be particularly well-suited, as they would require less site preparation. Some of the most promising areas for solar PV development near Hazel Green include: 1. Open farmland to the west and southwest of Hazel Green, where the terrain becomes flatter as it approaches the Tennessee Valley. 2. Cleared areas on the tops of some of the broader hills in the region, which could provide excellent sun exposure throughout the day. 3. Former pastureland or fallow fields that are no longer actively used for agriculture. It's important to note that while the topography around Hazel Green is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as grid connectivity, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects.

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.