Philadelphia, Tennessee, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar production, with the highest output occurring during summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Philadelphia generate their maximum electricity during summer, producing about 6.39kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 5.73kWh/day per kW. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 4.18kWh/day per kW, while winter sees the lowest output at just 2.52kWh/day per kW.

This pattern creates a significant contrast between summer and winter production, with summer generating more than 2.5 times the electricity of winter months. The location's moderate latitude contributes to these seasonal variations, making solar energy more abundant during longer summer days.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed solar panel installations in Philadelphia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle balances seasonal sun positions to optimize annual electricity generation. Proper panel orientation at this specific angle can significantly improve the overall efficiency of a solar installation.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could affect solar production in Philadelphia. The region experiences occasional heavy snowfall in winter, which can temporarily cover panels and reduce output during the already low-production season. Installing panels at the recommended 31-degree tilt helps snow slide off more easily than a flatter installation would.

Eastern Tennessee also experiences some cloudy and rainy periods, particularly during spring. The area averages around 45 inches of annual rainfall, which can temporarily reduce solar efficiency. However, these precipitation events are typically interspersed with clear days.

Tree coverage could be another consideration in this heavily forested region. Property owners should ensure panels are installed in locations with minimal shade throughout the day, potentially requiring selective tree removal or trimming to maximize sun exposure.

Preventative Measures

To optimize solar production in Philadelphia, consider these practical steps:

• Regular panel cleaning to remove pollen, dust, and debris (especially important during spring when pollen counts are high)
• Snow removal systems or manual clearing during winter months
• Strategic placement away from tall trees or structures that cast shadows
• Using micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact when some panels are partially shaded
• Weather-resistant equipment rated for the temperature ranges experienced in eastern Tennessee

With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Philadelphia can provide reliable renewable energy, particularly from spring through fall when production levels are highest.

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 Philadelphia, Tennessee

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6795, Longitude: -84.4038 (Philadelphia, Tennessee, 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 31° South in Philadelphia, Tennessee, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Philadelphia, Tennessee, United States (Lat/Long 35.6795, -84.4038) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Philadelphia, Tennessee, 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 Philadelphia, Tennessee, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	28° 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 Philadelphia, Tennessee, 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 Philadelphia, Tennessee, 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 Philadelphia, Tennessee, United States

The area surrounding Philadelphia, Tennessee, located at coordinates 35.6795,-84.4038, features a diverse topography characteristic of the eastern Tennessee region. This location sits within the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, creating a landscape of rolling hills, modest valleys, and gentle slopes. The terrain gradually transitions from the relatively flat areas near the Tennessee River and its tributaries to more elevated and undulating terrain as one moves eastward toward the Appalachian Mountains. The Philadelphia area is positioned within what geographers call the Ridge and Valley province, a physiographic region defined by a series of parallel ridges and valleys that run in a northeast-southwest direction. This distinctive pattern was formed through ancient geological processes of folding and faulting, creating alternating bands of resistant and less resistant rock types that have weathered differently over millions of years.

Elevation Patterns

Elevation in the Philadelphia vicinity generally ranges from approximately 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with some nearby ridges reaching slightly higher elevations. The terrain features moderate slopes throughout much of the area, with steeper grades occurring primarily along ridge faces and stream cuts. The Little Tennessee River flows not far from Philadelphia, influencing the local topography by creating broader valley floors and gentler terrain in its vicinity.

Suitable Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several topographical factors must be considered, including slope, aspect (direction of slope), and elevation. In the Philadelphia region, the most suitable areas for solar development would be: The valley floors and gentler slopes found throughout the region present some of the best opportunities for solar PV installation. These areas typically have slopes of less than 10 degrees, making construction and maintenance more feasible while minimizing the need for extensive grading. South-facing slopes, particularly those with gradual inclines of 3-7 degrees, would be especially advantageous for solar collection. These natural gradients can actually improve solar panel efficiency by optimizing the angle of sunlight exposure. Several such areas can be found in the broader valleys surrounding Philadelphia. The relatively flat agricultural lands and former farmland parcels in Loudon County and parts of Monroe County (where Philadelphia is located) offer significant potential. These areas combine favorable topography with existing access to roads and transmission infrastructure. Areas to avoid would include the steeper eastern slopes that rise toward the Smoky Mountains, narrow ravines and hollows that experience significant shading, and floodplain zones along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. The ridge tops in the region present an interesting possibility, as they often have good solar exposure, but may involve additional construction challenges and potential visual impact concerns. Some of the more modest ridges with accessible summits could be viable locations if properly developed. While the topography around Philadelphia is not as ideal for massive solar installations as the flat plains found in the American Southwest, the region does offer numerous viable sites for medium to large-scale solar development, particularly when focusing on the gently sloping valley areas and south-facing hillsides with moderate grades.

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.