Solar PV Analysis of Long Beach, Mississippi, United States
Long Beach, Mississippi, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical position at latitude 30.3574 and longitude -89.1649, this coastal city experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Long Beach peaks during the summer months, with an impressive average daily output of 5.99 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.77 kWh/day. Autumn sees a slight decrease in production, yielding 4.78 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 3.27 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable level of energy generation.
Optimal Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Long Beach, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 27-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring efficient energy capture throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Long Beach generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The city's coastal location exposes it to potential hurricane risks, which could impact solar installations. To mitigate this, robust mounting systems and high-quality, wind-resistant panels should be used. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive maintenance plan can help protect the system from salt air corrosion.
Another factor to consider is the region's occasional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Installing proper drainage systems and ensuring panels are securely mounted can prevent water damage and maintain optimal performance during inclement weather.
Conclusion
Overall, Long Beach, Mississippi, presents an ideal location for year-round solar energy generation. With its abundant sunshine, particularly during spring and summer, and relatively mild winters, the city offers excellent potential for solar PV systems. By addressing potential environmental challenges through appropriate installation and maintenance measures, residents and businesses in Long Beach can harness clean, renewable energy efficiently throughout the year.
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 Long Beach, Mississippi
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.3574, Longitude: -89.1649 (Long Beach, Mississippi, 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 Long Beach, Mississippi, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Long Beach, Mississippi, United States (Lat/Long 30.3574, -89.1649) 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 Long Beach, Mississippi, 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 Long Beach, Mississippi, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° South in Summer | 36° South in Autumn | 46° South in Winter | 23° 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 Long Beach, Mississippi, 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 Long Beach, Mississippi, 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 Long Beach, Mississippi, United States
The topography around Long Beach, Mississippi, located at latitude 30.3574 and longitude -89.1649, is characterized by its coastal lowland features. This area is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain, which is generally flat with very gentle slopes. The terrain is predominantly low-lying, with elevations typically ranging from sea level to about 25 feet above sea level.
The immediate coastline consists of sandy beaches and barrier islands, which protect the mainland from the direct impact of storms and waves from the Gulf of Mexico. Moving slightly inland, you'll find a mix of wetlands, marshes, and pine forests. These areas are interspersed with numerous small streams and bayous that drain into the Mississippi Sound.
As you travel further north from the coast, the land gradually rises, forming what's known as coastal terraces. These are essentially ancient shorelines that have been left behind as sea levels changed over geological time. The soil in this region is primarily composed of sand and clay, which has been deposited by rivers and ocean currents over millions of years.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The ideal locations would be:
- Areas slightly inland from the coast, away from the immediate flood-prone zones and salt spray from the ocean.
- Open, flat areas with minimal tree cover, such as former agricultural lands or cleared areas.
- Regions with good road access for construction and maintenance purposes.
- Locations near existing electrical infrastructure to facilitate grid connection.
Some potential areas that might meet these criteria include:
- The slightly elevated lands north of Interstate 10, particularly in Harrison County and northern Jackson County.
- Open areas in Stone County, where the terrain begins to rise and there are fewer wetlands.
- Cleared lands in George County, which is further inland and has a mix of agricultural and forested areas.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies and local zoning considerations. The proximity to the coast also means that hurricane resistance would be a crucial factor in the design and placement of solar installations in this region.
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: Wednesday 14th of August 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
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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.
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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.
