Solar PV Analysis of Loretto, United States
The location at Loretto, Tennessee in the United States is generally suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, there are periods when it's more ideal than others.
In simple terms, a solar PV system at this location can produce different amounts of electricity depending on the season. During summer, you can expect it to produce around 6.23 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar installed. This means that if you have a 1 kW solar panel system, it will generate about 6.23 kWh of electricity each day during summer.
In autumn and spring, your system would produce less power - around 4.31 kWh/day and 5.71 kWh/day respectively per kW installed due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles compared to summer.
Winter would be the least productive season with only about 2.64 kWh/day produced per kW installed because of even shorter daylight hours and lower sunlight intensity.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system in Loretto, Tennessee, you should tilt your panels at an angle of approximately 31 degrees facing southwards towards the equator where they can catch as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
As for potential impediments to solar production at this location; environmental factors such as weather conditions could affect output levels significantly from time to time especially during winter months when there may be snowfall or heavy cloud cover which might block direct sunlight reaching your panels thus reducing their efficiency drastically.
To mitigate these issues; one preventative measure could include installing a snow guard or similar device on your panels so that any accumulated snow slides off easily without blocking sunlight access thereby maintaining optimal efficiency levels even during snowy conditions.
Also consider regular cleaning and maintenance schedules to remove dust or debris which might accumulate over time further impeding light access onto panel surfaces affecting overall performance.
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 Loretto
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.0728, Longitude: -87.4238 (Loretto, 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 Loretto, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Loretto, United States (Lat/Long 35.0728, -87.4238) 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 Loretto, 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 Loretto, 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 | 50° 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 Loretto, 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 Loretto, 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 Loretto, United States
Loretto, located in the state of Tennessee, United States, is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The area is part of the broader Southeastern Plains region which consists mostly of low rolling hills and small isolated mountains with broad intervening valleys.
For large-scale solar PV installations, relatively flat or gently sloping land is preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. In Loretto's case, the flatter areas around it would be most suited for such installations. These could potentially include agricultural lands or other open spaces that receive ample sunlight throughout the year.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV also depends on factors like local climate (amount of sunshine), proximity to power grids for easy transmission, land use regulations among others. Therefore a comprehensive feasibility study considering all these aspects would be necessary before deciding on specific locations.
It's also worth mentioning that modern solar technologies can adapt to various topographies including slopes or hilly terrains though at a potentially higher cost due to increased complexity in installation.
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: Monday 6th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
