Kaunakakai, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation 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.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Kaunakakai demonstrate varying levels of electricity output across the meteorological seasons:

• Summer: 7.73 kWh/day
• Autumn: 5.99 kWh/day
• Winter: 4.70 kWh/day
• Spring: 7.03 kWh/day

These figures represent the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity. The data indicates that summer and spring are the most productive seasons for solar energy generation in Kaunakakai, with winter showing the lowest output.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Kaunakakai, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 18 degrees tilted towards the South. This angle has been calculated considering the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and weighted by NASA's solar irradiance data to ensure optimal energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Kaunakakai's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area may experience occasional tropical storms or hurricanes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Additionally, the proximity to the ocean means salt air corrosion could be a concern. Installers should use corrosion-resistant materials and apply protective coatings to ensure the longevity of the solar equipment. Regular maintenance and cleaning are also essential to prevent salt buildup on the panels, which could reduce their efficiency over time.

Despite these considerations, with proper planning and preventative measures, Kaunakakai remains an excellent location for solar energy production, offering consistent and substantial solar resources 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 Kaunakakai

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.0936, Longitude: -157.0261 (Kaunakakai, 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 18° South in Kaunakakai, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kaunakakai, United States (Lat/Long 21.0936, -157.0261) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 18° 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 Kaunakakai, 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 Kaunakakai, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 18° 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	36° 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 Kaunakakai, 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 Kaunakakai, 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 Kaunakakai, United States

Kaunakakai is located on the southern coast of Molokai, one of the main Hawaiian Islands. The topography around Kaunakakai is diverse and picturesque, characterized by a mix of coastal plains, gentle slopes, and rugged mountains. The town itself sits on a relatively flat coastal plain, with the shoreline featuring sandy beaches and coral reefs. As you move inland from Kaunakakai, the terrain gradually rises, transitioning into gently rolling hills and valleys. These lower elevations are primarily covered in grasslands and shrubs, with some areas used for agriculture. Further north of Kaunakakai, the landscape becomes more dramatic as it gives way to the island's central mountain range. This mountainous region is dominated by steep slopes, deep valleys, and lush forests. The highest point on Molokai, Kamakou, reaches an elevation of about 4,961 feet (1,512 meters) and is located approximately 10 miles north of Kaunakakai.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Kaunakakai that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental impact. The coastal plains and gently sloping areas to the east and west of Kaunakakai offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas receive abundant sunshine throughout the year and have fewer geographical obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels. The terrain in these regions is also more accessible for construction and maintenance of solar facilities. Specifically, the area known as the Hoolehua Plain, located to the northwest of Kaunakakai, could be a suitable candidate for large-scale solar PV installations. This region features expansive, relatively flat terrain with good sun exposure. Additionally, parts of this area have historically been used for agriculture, which may make it easier to repurpose for solar energy production. Another potential area for solar development could be the lower slopes of the island's central mountains, particularly to the northeast of Kaunakakai. While these areas have more varied terrain, they still receive excellent sunlight and could accommodate solar installations on carefully selected sites. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development would need to be carefully planned and implemented to minimize impact on the local ecosystem and respect the cultural significance of the land to native Hawaiians. Environmental assessments and community consultations would be crucial steps in identifying the most appropriate locations for 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.