Kapaa, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar PV systems in Kapaa demonstrate strong performance across all seasons, with some variation: Summer stands out as the peak season, producing an impressive 7.70 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.99 kWh/day, while autumn generates a respectable 5.99 kWh/day. Even during winter, which sees the lowest output, panels still produce a substantial 4.61 kWh/day. This year-round productivity makes Kapaa an excellent location for solar energy investments, with the potential for significant energy generation throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize solar energy production in Kapaa, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 19-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit around the sun.

Environmental Considerations

While Kapaa's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. High humidity levels can potentially impact solar panel efficiency. To mitigate this, panels should be installed with proper ventilation and regular cleaning schedules implemented. 2. The area's occasional heavy rainfall could temporarily reduce solar output. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps with natural cleaning and faster drying after rain events. 3. Salt air exposure, due to proximity to the ocean, may accelerate corrosion of solar equipment. Using marine-grade materials and protective coatings can help extend the lifespan of solar installations in this coastal environment. By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Kapaa can achieve optimal performance and longevity, taking full advantage of the location's abundant sunshine and consistent energy production potential throughout the year.

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 Kapaa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.0899, Longitude: -159.3482 (Kapaa, 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 19° South in Kapaa, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kapaa, United States (Lat/Long 22.0899, -159.3482) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Kapaa, 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 Kapaa, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
6° South in Summer	27° South in Autumn	37° South in Winter	15° 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 Kapaa, 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 Kapaa, 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 Kapaa, United States

Kapaa, located on the eastern coast of Kauai, Hawaii, is surrounded by a diverse and striking topography. The town itself sits on a relatively flat coastal plain, but the landscape quickly becomes more dramatic as you move inland. To the west, the terrain rises steadily into the lush, green mountains of the island's interior. These mountains are characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and numerous streams that carve their way down to the coast. The Wailua River, one of the largest rivers in Hawaii, flows just south of Kapaa. Its valley creates a significant topographical feature, with flat bottomlands near the coast giving way to steeper canyon walls further inland. North of Kapaa, the landscape is marked by a series of small valleys and ridges that run perpendicular to the coastline.

Coastal Features

Along the coast, Kapaa's shoreline alternates between sandy beaches and rocky outcrops. The nearshore waters are relatively shallow, with coral reefs visible in many areas. The coastline is not particularly rugged compared to other parts of Kauai, but it does have its share of small coves and bays.

Inland Topography

As you move inland from Kapaa, the terrain becomes increasingly varied. The foothills of the island's central mountains begin just a few miles from the coast. These hills are covered in dense tropical vegetation and are crisscrossed by numerous small streams. Further west, the landscape becomes even more dramatic, with steep-sided valleys and knife-edge ridges characteristic of Kauai's mountainous interior.

Potential for Solar PV

When considering areas near Kapaa for large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable locations would likely be found on the coastal plain and lower foothills. These areas offer relatively flat terrain and good sun exposure, which are crucial for efficient solar energy production. The agricultural lands just inland from Kapaa could be particularly well-suited for solar farms. These areas have already been cleared of dense vegetation and offer large, open spaces with minimal shading from mountains or trees. Additionally, the gentle slopes of the lower foothills could potentially be used for solar installations, as long as the gradient is not too steep. It's important to note, however, that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly given the sensitive ecosystems and cultural significance of many areas on Kauai. The island's frequent cloud cover and occasional heavy rains could also affect the efficiency of solar installations, so thorough feasibility studies would be necessary. In conclusion, while Kapaa is surrounded by varied and often rugged terrain, there are areas nearby that could potentially support large-scale solar PV installations. The key would be finding a balance between suitable topography, minimal environmental impact, and optimal sun 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.