Koloa, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production 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 Output

The solar energy potential in Koloa varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer sees the highest output at 7.98 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 7.19 kWh/day, while autumn produces 6.13 kWh/day. Winter, although less productive, still generates a respectable 4.77 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal periods for solar energy production in Koloa are during the summer and spring months. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and typically clearer skies, maximizing the potential for solar energy generation. However, the relatively high output during autumn and even winter demonstrates that solar panels can be effective year-round in this location.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed solar panel installations in Koloa, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 19 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Koloa's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors to consider:

• Occasional tropical storms or hurricanes can pose a risk to solar installations.
• High humidity levels may lead to increased dust accumulation on panels.

To mitigate these issues, it's important to use sturdy mounting systems that can withstand strong winds and to implement regular cleaning routines. Additionally, investing in high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help ensure consistent performance in the face of these environmental challenges.

Overall, Koloa's location makes it an excellent candidate for solar energy production, with consistent sunlight throughout the year and only minor environmental concerns that can be addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Koloa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.9036, Longitude: -159.4666 (Koloa, 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 Koloa, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Koloa, United States (Lat/Long 21.9036, -159.4666) 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 Koloa, 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 Koloa, 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 Koloa, 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 Koloa, 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 Koloa, United States

The topography around Koloa, located on the southern coast of Kauai, Hawaii, is characterized by a diverse landscape that reflects the island's volcanic origins. The area features a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and more rugged terrain as you move inland. Near the coast, where Koloa is situated, the land is relatively flat with gentle slopes. This coastal plain is composed of ancient lava flows that have weathered over time, creating fertile soil ideal for agriculture. As you move slightly inland, the terrain begins to undulate with low hills and shallow valleys, creating a picturesque countryside dotted with farms and residential areas. Further inland, the landscape becomes more dramatic. The terrain rises more steeply, forming the foothills of Kauai's central mountains. These areas are often covered in lush tropical vegetation, with deep valleys carved by streams and rivers flowing down from the higher elevations. The nearby Haupu Ridge, to the east of Koloa, provides a striking backdrop with its steep, forest-covered slopes.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Koloa, 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 rolling hills immediately surrounding Koloa offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas receive abundant sunshine throughout the year and have enough open space to accommodate large arrays of solar panels. The flat to mildly sloping terrain would simplify installation and reduce costs associated with land preparation. Agricultural lands that are no longer in active use could be prime candidates for solar farms. These areas are often already cleared and have existing road access, making them easier to develop for solar energy production. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental and cultural factors. Hawaii's unique ecosystem and rich cultural heritage mean that thorough impact assessments would be necessary before proceeding with any major projects. Areas to avoid for solar PV development would include the steeper slopes of the inland hills and mountains, as well as any locations with significant ecological or cultural importance. The rugged terrain of the Haupu Ridge and other mountainous areas would be impractical and environmentally disruptive for large-scale solar installations. In conclusion, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Koloa would likely be found on the flatter coastal plains and gentle hills, particularly on lands that have already seen some level of development or agricultural use. These locations offer the best balance of solar potential, ease of development, and minimal environmental impact.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.