Lithonia, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar potential varies across seasons, with higher outputs during summer and spring, and lower production in winter and autumn.

Seasonal Solar Production

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy generation, with an impressive 6.21 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 6.06 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.54 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.84 kWh/day.

The most ideal times for solar energy production in Lithonia are from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Lithonia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Lithonia's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

• Humidity: The region's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, which may slightly reduce panel efficiency.
• Thunderstorms: Frequent summer thunderstorms can temporarily decrease solar output.

To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures during solar installation:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant panels designed to perform well in humid conditions.
• Install a robust mounting system to withstand potential strong winds during storms.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove any dust or pollen accumulation, which can be more prevalent in this climate.

Overall, Lithonia's location provides a good balance of solar potential throughout the year, with some seasonal variations. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can be highly effective for generating renewable energy.

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 Lithonia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.7344, Longitude: -84.0986 (Lithonia, 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 Lithonia, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lithonia, United States (Lat/Long 33.7344, -84.0986) 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 Lithonia, 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 Lithonia, 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	49° South in Winter	26° 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 Lithonia, 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 Lithonia, 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 Lithonia, United States

Lithonia, located in DeKalb County, Georgia, is situated in an area characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. The topography around Lithonia is typical of the Piedmont region, which forms a transitional zone between the Appalachian Mountains to the north and the coastal plain to the south. The landscape surrounding Lithonia features a mix of low-lying areas and modest elevations, with scattered woodlands, open fields, and small streams. The region's geology is dominated by granite formations, which have played a significant role in the area's history and economy. In fact, Lithonia's name is derived from the Greek words for "stone" and "place," reflecting its connection to the local granite quarrying industry.

Terrain and Elevation

The elevation in and around Lithonia generally ranges from about 700 to 1,000 feet above sea level. This moderate relief creates a landscape of subtle undulations rather than dramatic changes in elevation. The area's highest points are typically found on hilltops and ridges, while the lowest points are often associated with creek valleys and drainage basins.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain around Lithonia offers some advantages for solar energy development: 1. Open spaces: The region has numerous open fields and cleared areas that could potentially accommodate large solar arrays without significant land clearing or grading. 2. Moderate slopes: Many of the area's gentle slopes face south or southeast, which is ideal for maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. 3. Accessibility: The area's well-developed road network provides good access for construction and maintenance of solar facilities. Some of the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Lithonia would likely be found in the following areas: 1. Former agricultural lands: Abandoned or underutilized farmland to the east and southeast of Lithonia could offer large, flat areas ideal for solar development. 2. Reclaimed quarry sites: Given the region's history of granite quarrying, there may be opportunities to repurpose former quarry lands for solar energy production. 3. Industrial zones: Areas zoned for industrial use, particularly those with large, flat rooftops or open ground space, could be well-suited for solar installations. 4. Rural areas south of the city: The less developed regions to the south of Lithonia, extending towards Henry County, may offer larger tracts of land with favorable solar conditions. While the topography around Lithonia is generally conducive to solar energy development, it's important to note that site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in identifying the best sites for large-scale solar PV projects in 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!

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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.