Solar PV Analysis of Lenoir City, United States
Lenoir City, Tennessee, is a fairly good location for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies by season. In summer, you can expect about 6.39 kWh per day, while in spring it's slightly less at 5.75 kWh per day. Autumn sees a drop to around 4.24 kWh per day and winter is the least productive season with only about 2.59 kWh per day.
This means that the ideal times of year to generate solar power in Lenoir City would be during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer when the sun is higher in the sky and there are fewer clouds.
If you're planning on installing fixed-panel solar PV at this location, tilting your panels towards south at an angle of 31 degrees will give you maximum production throughout the year.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect your solar energy production here. For instance, Lenoir City experiences some thunderstorm activity which could lead to temporary decreases in sunlight exposure or damage to equipment if not properly secured or protected.
It also has deciduous forests nearby which may shed leaves onto panels during autumn leading to reduced efficiency due to shading or dirt accumulation on panel surfaces; so proper maintenance like regular cleaning will help ensure better performance.
Moreover, winters can bring snowfall that might cover up your panels temporarily reducing their output until cleared off; hence consider installing a snow guard or using heated panels if possible for such situations.
In summary though these potential impediments aren't significant enough to make it unfeasible for setting up a solar installation given its relative benefits especially during spring and summer seasons when it performs best.
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 Lenoir City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8083, Longitude: -84.27 (Lenoir City, 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 Lenoir City, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lenoir City, United States (Lat/Long 35.8083, -84.27) 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 Lenoir City, 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 Lenoir City, 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 | 41° 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 Lenoir City, 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 Lenoir City, 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 Lenoir City, United States
Lenoir City is located in the eastern part of Tennessee, United States. The topography around Lenoir City is characterized by a mix of flatlands and hilly terrain, with the Great Smoky Mountains to the east and the Cumberland Plateau to the west. The city itself lies in the valley of the Tennessee River.
The region experiences a humid subtropical climate which means that it has hot summers and mild winters. This climate type can be conducive for solar energy production as there are significant periods of sunlight throughout most parts of the year.
As for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, they require areas with significant sun exposure and minimal shading from surrounding features such as mountains or tall buildings. Flat or gently sloping land is also preferable because it reduces installation costs compared to hilly or mountainous terrain.
Considering these factors, potential suitable locations for large-scale solar PV around Lenoir City could include:
1) Areas along the Tennessee Valley: These areas are relatively flat and would likely provide good sun exposure.
2) Agricultural lands: If local regulations permit, agricultural lands can be dual-purposed for both farming and solar power generation.
3) Brownfield sites: These are previously developed sites that may have been abandoned or underused. They often have good access to infrastructure which can reduce development costs.
4) Rooftops on large commercial or industrial buildings: While not "large-scale" in terms of ground-mounted installations, these can still contribute significantly towards renewable energy capacity.
It's important to note that any specific site would need an assessment considering various factors including sun exposure (solar irradiance), land availability, proximity to electricity grid connections/infrastructure, environmental impacts among others before deciding its suitability for a solar PV project.
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: Sunday 30th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
