Leland, North Carolina, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 34.2563 latitude and -78.0447 longitude, this area experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Leland peaks during the summer months, with an impressive output of 6.43 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.08 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.47 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.84 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Leland enjoys excellent solar potential for most of the year, with summer and spring being particularly productive seasons. Even during the less ideal winter months, the area still maintains a respectable level of solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

For those considering a fixed panel installation in Leland, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific solar elevation angles.

Environmental Considerations

While Leland generally presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Humidity: The area's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, potentially affecting panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help mitigate this issue.
2. Hurricanes: Leland's coastal proximity makes it vulnerable to hurricanes. Robust mounting systems and impact-resistant panels should be used to enhance durability.
3. Vegetation: Rapid plant growth in the region may lead to shading issues. Regular trimming of nearby trees and vegetation is essential to maintain optimal sun exposure.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Leland can achieve higher efficiency and longevity, making the most of the area's abundant solar resources.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Leland

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.2563, Longitude: -78.0447 (Leland, 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 30° South in Leland, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Leland, United States (Lat/Long 34.2563, -78.0447) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Leland, 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 Leland, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Leland, 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 Leland, 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 Leland, United States

Leland, located in southeastern North Carolina, is situated in an area characterized by relatively flat coastal plain topography. The landscape around Leland is predominantly low-lying, with gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes. The region is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which extends from the coast inland for several miles. The area surrounding Leland features a mix of forests, wetlands, and agricultural land. Pine forests and hardwood stands are common, interspersed with open fields and farmland. The Cape Fear River and its tributaries have shaped the local topography, creating some slight variations in elevation near the waterways.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Leland, several factors come into play. The flat terrain and abundance of open spaces in the region make it generally favorable for solar development. Areas that would be most suited for such projects include: Former agricultural lands or fallow fields provide ideal locations for solar farms. These areas are typically already cleared, have good sun exposure, and are often easily accessible. Many such sites can be found in the rural areas surrounding Leland. Cleared forest lands or timber harvest areas could also be suitable for solar PV installations. These sites often offer large, contiguous spaces that can accommodate extensive arrays of solar panels. However, care should be taken to balance solar development with forest conservation efforts. Industrial or commercial zones on the outskirts of Leland and neighboring communities might offer opportunities for solar development. These areas often have the necessary infrastructure and are already zoned for development, which can streamline the permitting process. It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the exact suitability of any location for large-scale solar PV. Factors such as soil conditions, drainage, proximity to power infrastructure, and local zoning regulations would all need to be considered in addition to the general topography of the area.

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.