Solar PV Analysis of Jacksonville, United States
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, United States (latitude: 30.3321838, longitude: -81.655651), this site is well-suited for solar PV generation due to its northern subtropical climate. The average daily energy production per kW of installed solar varies by season, with the highest output occurring during spring and summer months. Specifically, the average kWh per day per kW of installed solar is 5.82 in summer (June through August) and 6.43 in spring (March through May).
In contrast, autumn and winter seasons experience shorter days and cooler temperatures, resulting in lower energy production from solar panels. During these periods, the average kWh per day per kW of installed solar is 4.71 in autumn (September through November) and 3.49 in winter (December through February). Despite these seasonal fluctuations, Jacksonville's overall climate remains favorable for year-round solar power generation.
While local weather conditions such as strong winds or heavy rains can impact solar PV system performance, their effects are generally not significant enough to impede energy production at this location significantly.
To optimize energy generation from a fixed panel installation at this site, it is recommended that panels be tilted at an angle of 27 degrees facing southward. This orientation maximizes exposure to sunlight throughout the year in Jacksonville.
In conclusion, Jacksonville's latitude and climate make it a suitable location for generating solar power year-round with peak production occurring during spring and summer months. By installing panels at an optimal tilt angle of 27 degrees southward-facing direction and taking necessary precautions against potential environmental factors such as shading or extreme weather events when designing the installation layout will help ensure greater energy production efficiency from your solar PV system at this location.
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 Jacksonville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.3321838, Longitude: -81.655651 (Jacksonville, 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 27° South in Jacksonville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jacksonville, United States (Lat/Long 30.3321838, -81.655651) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° South in Summer | 35° South in Autumn | 46° South in Winter | 23° 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, United States
The topography around Jacksonville, United States is generally flat with some rolling hills. Areas that are most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations would be on flat or gently sloping terrain with minimal tree cover and good access to roads. Areas near the St. Johns River, such as along its banks or on nearby islands, could be especially well-suited due to the abundance of open land and potential for water cooling of solar panels during hot summer months. Other areas that may be suitable include suburban neighborhoods with large lots and agricultural areas with wide open spaces.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th of August 2022
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.
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.
