Solar PV Analysis of Lufkin, United States
Lufkin, Texas, in the Northern Sub Tropics of the United States, is a pretty good place for solar power generation throughout the year. This is based on how much electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels in different seasons.
In simple terms, a kW represents the size or capacity of your solar panel system - how much sunlight it can capture. The kWh (kilowatt-hour) measures energy production - how much electricity your system can produce from that sunlight.
Here's what you could expect: In summer, each kW could generate about 6.70 kWh per day; in autumn about 4.83 kWh per day; in winter around 2.92 kWh per day and spring would give you about 5.25 kWh per day.
This shows that summer and spring are more ideal for generating solar energy at this location because longer daylight hours and stronger sun rays mean more electricity produced by your solar panels.
To get maximum benefit from your solar installation here throughout the year though, it’s best to tilt your panels at an angle of 27 degrees facing southwards – this position captures most sunlight over all four seasons.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect your solar production negatively:
1) Weather: Lufkin experiences thunderstorms which may reduce sunlight availability temporarily thus impacting energy production.
2) Trees and Buildings: Shadows cast by tall trees or buildings might block direct sunlight hitting the panels reducing their efficiency.
3) Dust & Debris: Accumulated dust or debris on panels can also lower their productivity.
Preventative measures include:
1) Regular cleaning of panels to remove dust/debris.
2) Strategic placement/installation where shadows from trees/buildings are minimal.
3) Installing protective equipment against storm damage if necessary.
Remember these factors aren't always significant but being aware helps ensure greater energy production from your installed solar panels.
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 Lufkin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.2736, Longitude: -94.6405 (Lufkin, 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 27° South in Lufkin, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lufkin, United States (Lat/Long 31.2736, -94.6405) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° South in Summer | 36° South in Autumn | 47° South in Winter | 24° 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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, United States
Lufkin, United States is located in the state of Texas and it is characterized by a relatively flat terrain with slight undulations. The region has some forested areas as well as agricultural land. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are most suitable because they receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day without any obstructions such as trees or buildings. Therefore, the agricultural lands around Lufkin could be potential sites for large scale solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power also depends on other factors like local climate conditions (amount of sunshine), soil stability, proximity to transmission lines or substations etc., which need to be evaluated thoroughly before deciding on a location.
In terms of average annual sunshine hours, Texas ranks among the top states in U.S.A., making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy.
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: Tuesday 14th 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.
