Kingsport, Tennessee, located in the United States at coordinates 36.5491, -82.5584, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy potential at this location fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, generating approximately 6.55kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.65kWh/day, while autumn yields a moderate 4.17kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at just 2.36kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal pattern means that Kingsport residents can expect their solar systems to perform at peak efficiency from late spring through early fall, with production tapering significantly during the winter months. The substantial difference between summer and winter production (nearly a 3:1 ratio) indicates that supplementary energy sources might be beneficial during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Kingsport, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 32 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the changing seasons, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's position in the Northern Hemisphere.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Kingsport. The Appalachian Mountain region where Kingsport is situated experiences more cloud cover than many other parts of the southern United States, particularly during winter and spring. The area also receives approximately 44 inches of precipitation annually, including occasional snowfall in winter that can temporarily cover panels.

Tree coverage presents another consideration, as the region features abundant deciduous forests that could create shading issues depending on the specific installation site. Additionally, the valley location of Kingsport might experience more fog and morning mist than surrounding higher elevations.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install panels with snow-shedding capabilities, including frames with steeper angles in areas prone to heavy snowfall
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, particularly during pollen season (spring) and after autumn leaf fall
• Consider microinverters or power optimizers that minimize production losses when partial shading occurs
• Conduct thorough site assessments to identify and mitigate potential shading from trees, buildings, and topographical features
• Select high-efficiency panels that perform better in diffuse light conditions common during cloudy periods

With proper planning and installation techniques that account for these regional factors, solar PV systems in Kingsport can still provide substantial energy production, particularly during the productive summer and spring seasons.

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 Kingsport

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.5491, Longitude: -82.5584 (Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kingsport, United States (Lat/Long 36.5491, -82.5584) 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 Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, United States

The terrain surrounding Kingsport, Tennessee is characterized by the rolling hills and valleys typical of the Appalachian Mountain region. Situated in the northeastern corner of Tennessee, Kingsport lies within what is known as the Ridge and Valley physiographic province, where parallel ridges and valleys create a distinctive corrugated landscape pattern.

Valley Setting

Kingsport itself is nestled in the Holston River Valley, with the Holston River flowing through the city before eventually joining the Tennessee River system. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet (370 meters) above sea level. This valley location means that Kingsport is surrounded by higher terrain on multiple sides.

Surrounding Ridges

To the northwest of Kingsport rises Bays Mountain, a prominent ridge that reaches elevations of around 2,500 feet (760 meters). This forested ridge creates a natural boundary and backdrop for the city. To the southeast, the landscape rises toward the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form part of the greater Appalachian chain. The topography in this region is generally characterized by moderate to steep slopes, with numerous small valleys and streams cutting through the landscape. These features create a patchwork of varying elevations, aspects, and slope gradients throughout the area.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Kingsport, the most suitable areas would be found in the broader valley floors and gentler slopes. These include: The relatively flat agricultural lands along the Holston River Valley, particularly to the southwest of Kingsport where the valley widens. These areas offer more extensive flat or gently sloping terrain that would minimize grading costs for solar array installation. Former industrial or brownfield sites in and around Kingsport may present opportunities for solar development without disrupting natural landscapes or agricultural lands. The region has a history of industrial activity, potentially offering pre-disturbed sites suitable for redevelopment. South-facing slopes with moderate gradients (not too steep) would be particularly advantageous for solar capture efficiency. Some of the lower hillsides surrounding the valley, particularly those with southern exposure, could be suitable if they have appropriate gradient and accessibility.

Topographical Challenges

The mountainous nature of the region does present certain challenges for large-scale solar development. Many areas have dense forest cover, steep slopes, and limited accessibility. The irregular terrain creates potential shading issues that would need careful site assessment. Additionally, the region experiences a humid subtropical climate with significant precipitation throughout the year, which must be factored into system design. The most promising areas would be those combining relatively level terrain, good solar exposure (minimal shading from surrounding mountains), proximity to existing transmission infrastructure, and appropriate land use compatibility. The broader valleys and plateaus of the region, rather than the steeper mountainsides, would generally offer the most practical settings for substantial solar PV installations.

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.