Kapolei, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers an excellent location for generating solar energy year-round. Situated in the tropics, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Solar Energy Production by Season

The solar energy output at this location varies throughout the year, with summer being the most productive season. Here's a breakdown of the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity: Summer: 7.86 kWh/day Spring: 7.19 kWh/day Autumn: 6.19 kWh/day Winter: 4.90 kWh/day These figures demonstrate that Kapolei maintains strong solar potential even during its least productive season. The location's proximity to the equator ensures relatively high solar energy production throughout the year, with only a moderate dip during the winter months.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed panel installations in Kapolei, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 19 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Kapolei's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Humidity: The high humidity levels in Hawaii can potentially lead to moisture buildup on solar panels, which may slightly reduce efficiency. To mitigate this, panels should be installed with proper ventilation and regularly cleaned. 2. Salt spray: Given the proximity to the ocean, salt spray can accumulate on solar panels, potentially causing corrosion or reducing efficiency. Using corrosion-resistant materials and applying protective coatings can help prevent damage. 3. Volcanic activity: Although not a frequent occurrence, volcanic eruptions on nearby islands can release ash into the atmosphere, which may temporarily reduce solar efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help address this issue when it arises. Despite these minor challenges, the overall solar potential in Kapolei remains excellent. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar PV systems in this location can provide consistent and substantial energy production 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 Kapolei

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.3454, Longitude: -158.0842 (Kapolei, 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 Kapolei, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kapolei, United States (Lat/Long 21.3454, -158.0842) 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 Kapolei, 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 Kapolei, 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
5° South in Summer	26° South in Autumn	37° South in Winter	14° 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 Kapolei, 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 Kapolei, 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 Kapolei, United States

Kapolei, located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, is situated in an area with diverse topography. The city itself is built on relatively flat terrain, which was once part of a vast sugar cane plantation. As you move away from the urban center, the landscape becomes more varied and interesting. To the north and northeast of Kapolei, the land gradually rises into the Waianae Mountain Range. These mountains, while not extremely tall by mainland standards, provide a dramatic backdrop to the city. The slopes of these mountains are generally steep and covered with lush vegetation, typical of Hawaii's tropical climate. To the south and southeast, the terrain slopes gently towards the coastline. This area is characterized by a mix of developed land and open spaces, with some low-lying hills interspersed throughout. The coast itself features beautiful beaches and rocky outcrops, with the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean stretching out to the horizon.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Kapolei for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be those with ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental impact. The areas to the south and southeast of Kapolei show the most promise for solar PV development. These regions benefit from consistent sunshine throughout the year and have large stretches of flat or gently sloping land. Much of this area was previously used for agriculture, making it potentially easier to repurpose for solar farms without significant environmental disruption. The coastal plains between Kapolei and Ewa Beach could be particularly well-suited for solar installations. This area receives abundant sunlight and has minimal shading from mountains or tall buildings. However, care would need to be taken to ensure that any development does not negatively impact the coastal ecosystem or interfere with local communities. It's worth noting that while the mountain slopes to the north offer some flat areas that could potentially accommodate solar panels, these locations may be less ideal due to increased cloud cover and the potential for environmental disruption in more pristine areas. Any large-scale solar PV project in the Kapolei area would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation and respect for local cultural sites. Hawaii's commitment to renewable energy makes the region around Kapolei an attractive prospect for solar development, but proper planning and community engagement would be crucial for successful implementation.

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.