Honokaa, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

The solar energy potential in Honokaa varies across the meteorological seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During summer months, solar panels can generate an average of 7.50 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, with an average daily output of 6.87 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a slight decrease in production, averaging 6.04 kWh/kW per day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.84 kWh/kW daily.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed solar panel installations in Honokaa, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 17 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring optimal sunlight capture across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

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

• Volcanic activity: Hawaii's active volcanoes can sometimes release ash and vog (volcanic smog), which may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency.
• High humidity: The tropical climate can lead to increased moisture, potentially affecting electrical components if not properly protected.

To mitigate these issues, solar installations in Honokaa should incorporate robust weatherproofing measures. Using high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials for mounting hardware and ensuring proper sealing of electrical connections can help maintain system integrity. Regular cleaning of panels to remove any accumulated ash or dust is also recommended to maintain optimal performance.

Despite these minor challenges, Honokaa's year-round sunny climate makes it an excellent location for solar energy production, with potential for significant energy generation across all seasons.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

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 Honokaa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 20.0809, Longitude: -155.4884 (Honokaa, 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 17° South in Honokaa, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Honokaa, United States (Lat/Long 20.0809, -155.4884) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Honokaa, 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 Honokaa, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° South in Summer	25° South in Autumn	35° South in Winter	13° 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 Honokaa, 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 Honokaa, 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 Honokaa, United States

The area around Honokaa, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, features a diverse and dramatic topography characteristic of the island's northern Hamakua Coast. This region is known for its lush, green landscapes and steep terrain that descends from the slopes of Mauna Kea towards the Pacific Ocean. The topography near Honokaa is dominated by deeply incised valleys and gulches, created by millions of years of erosion from heavy rainfall and flowing streams. These valleys, such as the nearby Waipio Valley, are steep-sided and often have flat, fertile floors that have been used for agriculture. The land between these valleys consists of gently sloping to moderately steep hills, covered in a mix of grasslands, forests, and agricultural areas. As you move inland and upslope from Honokaa, the terrain becomes increasingly steep and rugged. The land rises rapidly towards the dormant volcano Mauna Kea, with elevations increasing from near sea level to over 13,000 feet in just a few dozen miles. This dramatic elevation change creates distinct climate zones and vegetation patterns, from tropical lowlands to alpine environments near the summit.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and be easily accessible for construction and maintenance. The upland areas to the south and southeast of Honokaa, towards the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, offer some of the best potential for solar PV development. These areas, particularly around the town of Waimea (also known as Kamuela), feature expansive grasslands and pastures with gentler slopes compared to the coastal regions. The higher elevation also means clearer skies and less cloud cover, which is beneficial for solar energy production. Another potentially suitable area lies to the northeast of Honokaa, in the direction of Paauilo and Ookala. While this region is generally hilly, there are pockets of flatter land that was previously used for sugarcane cultivation. These former agricultural lands could be repurposed for solar farms, as they offer relatively level terrain and existing road access. It's important to note, however, that any large-scale solar development in Hawaii must carefully consider environmental and cultural impacts. The islands' unique ecosystems and rich cultural heritage mean that thorough assessments and community engagement would be necessary before pursuing such 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!

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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.