Macon, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 32.8936, -83.743, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar energy production varies across seasons, with some periods being more ideal than others.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar energy production in Macon is at its peak during the summer and spring months. In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar capacity can generate an average of 6.25 kWh per day, while spring sees a slightly higher output of 6.27 kWh per day. These seasons provide excellent conditions for maximizing solar energy production.

Autumn sees a moderate decrease in solar output, with 4.63 kWh per day per kilowatt of installed capacity. Winter experiences the lowest production, averaging 2.97 kWh per day. Despite the reduced output, Macon's location still allows for year-round solar energy generation, even during the less favorable winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Macon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 29 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the sun's seasonal positions.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

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

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

To mitigate these factors, solar installations in Macon should include robust mounting systems to withstand strong winds during storms. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help combat any efficiency loss due to humidity or dust accumulation.

Overall, Macon's location provides a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential throughout most of the year, particularly in spring and summer. While there are some challenges, they are not significant enough to deter solar installations, and with proper planning and maintenance, solar energy can be a reliable and efficient power source in this area.

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 Macon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.8936, Longitude: -83.743 (Macon, 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 29° South in Macon, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Macon, United States (Lat/Long 32.8936, -83.743) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Macon, 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 Macon, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	25° 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 Macon, 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 Macon, 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 Macon, United States

The topography around Macon, Georgia, located at latitude 32.8936 and longitude -83.743, is characterized by gently rolling hills and a mix of urban and rural landscapes. Macon sits in the Fall Line region, where the Piedmont plateau meets the Coastal Plain. This transition zone creates a varied terrain with moderate elevation changes throughout the area. The city itself is situated along the Ocmulgee River, which has carved a shallow valley through the region. The river and its tributaries have shaped the local landscape, creating some areas of flatter floodplains surrounded by gradually sloping hillsides. As you move away from the river, the terrain becomes more undulating, with low hills and shallow valleys typical of the Piedmont region. To the north and west of Macon, the land becomes slightly more rugged and hilly as it transitions fully into the Piedmont. These areas feature more pronounced elevation changes and steeper slopes. To the south and east, the terrain gradually flattens out as it merges with the Coastal Plain, characterized by more level ground and fewer hills.

Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Macon, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those with relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstructions. The regions to the south and east of Macon, where the landscape transitions to the Coastal Plain, offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas tend to have more expansive, open spaces with fewer steep slopes, making them ideal for large solar arrays. The flatter terrain also simplifies construction and maintenance of solar installations. Rural areas surrounding Macon, particularly those with existing agricultural land or open fields, could be well-suited for solar PV projects. These locations often provide the necessary space for large-scale installations without significant land clearing or topographical alterations. It's worth noting that while the rolling hills to the north and west of Macon may present some challenges for very large solar farms, they could still accommodate smaller or medium-sized installations on their south-facing slopes, which would receive optimal sunlight exposure. Ultimately, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations for solar PV projects, taking into account not only topography but also factors such as land availability, proximity to power infrastructure, and local zoning regulations.

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.