Solar PV Analysis of King, United States
King, North Carolina, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar potential varies significantly across seasons, with peak production occurring during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive average daily output of 6.66 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.86 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, averaging 4.37 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output, with just 2.67 kWh/day.
This seasonal variation indicates that King's solar potential is strongest from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production. However, the significant drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during the colder months.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in King, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While King's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Tree coverage: The area surrounding King has a mix of forested and open areas. Nearby trees could potentially cast shadows on solar panels, reducing their efficiency.
- Weather patterns: The region experiences occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and the rare possibility of hurricanes or tropical storms.
To mitigate these factors, careful site selection is crucial. Installers should choose locations with minimal shading from trees or buildings. Additionally, using sturdy mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help protect the installation from severe weather events.
In conclusion, while King, North Carolina, may not be an ideal location for year-round solar energy production due to its significant seasonal variations, it still offers considerable potential, especially during the warmer months. With proper installation techniques and consideration of local environmental factors, solar PV systems can be an effective source of renewable energy in this area.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 King
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.2942, Longitude: -80.3608 (King, 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 32° South in King, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in King, United States (Lat/Long 36.2942, -80.3608) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 King, 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 King, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 29° 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 King, 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 King, 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 King, United States
The area around King, United States, located at latitude 36.2942 and longitude -80.3608, is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys typical of the Piedmont region of North Carolina. This topography is a transition zone between the flatter coastal plain to the east and the more mountainous Appalachian region to the west.
The landscape surrounding King features a mix of open fields, wooded areas, and small streams. The terrain is generally undulating, with elevations ranging from about 300 to 500 feet above sea level. This creates a patchwork of slopes and flat areas, with some steeper hillsides interspersed throughout the region.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would be the relatively flat or gently sloping open fields. These areas are ideal because they receive consistent sunlight throughout the day and require minimal land preparation. The best locations would be south-facing slopes or flat expanses that are not shaded by trees or buildings.
Specifically, the agricultural lands and former tobacco fields to the south and east of King would likely be well-suited for solar PV development. These areas often have large, uninterrupted spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. Additionally, some of the cleared hilltops in the vicinity might offer good potential, as they would receive ample sunlight and could take advantage of the natural elevation.
It's important to note that while the rolling terrain can present some challenges for solar installation, modern solar panel technologies and mounting systems can adapt to slight slopes, making many areas in the region potentially viable for solar energy production. However, areas with steep slopes or dense forest cover would be less suitable and should be avoided for large-scale solar 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 9th of August 2024
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.
