Solar PV Analysis of Marshall, United States
The location at Marshall, North Carolina, United States is quite suitable for generating energy through solar PV systems throughout the year. However, there are variations in the amount of energy that can be generated in different seasons.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar installed, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring isn't far behind with around 5.80 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity.
The production dips a bit in autumn to around 4.41 kWh/day per kW but it's still decent enough to keep things running smoothly.
Winter sees the lowest production at approximately 2.88 kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles which reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches your panels.
To maximize your total annual solar production, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32 degrees facing south if you're going with a fixed panel installation setup.
There could be local factors such as weather conditions and topography that might impact your solar production though.
Marshall experiences a good amount of rainfall annually which could potentially reduce your system’s output when skies are overcast or during heavy downpours - although most modern panels are designed to withstand such conditions and continue producing power albeit at reduced rates during cloudy days.
It's also located within mountainous terrain which could potentially cast shadows on your panels depending on their exact location - this can be mitigated by carefully selecting an installation site where shading is minimal throughout the day and across all seasons.
Another thing to consider would be snowfall during winter months as snow accumulation on panels can block sunlight - installing them at optimal tilt angles not only maximizes sun exposure but also helps shed off snow more easily due to gravity; additionally regular cleaning or use of automated cleaning solutions may help ensure greater energy production during these times.
So while there are a few challenges, with the right setup and maintenance, Marshall can be a good location for solar energy production.
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 Marshall
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8597, Longitude: -82.7105 (Marshall, 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 32° South in Marshall, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marshall, United States (Lat/Long 35.8597, -82.7105) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 29° 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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, United States
The coordinates provided are for the town of Marshall in North Carolina, United States. The topography around Marshall is characterized by mountainous terrain as it is located in the Appalachian Mountain range. The region features a mix of ridges, valleys and forests.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are typically best suited. Steep slopes can make installation more difficult and can also limit the amount of sunlight that panels receive. Additionally, heavily forested areas may not be ideal due to shading from trees.
Considering these factors, large-scale solar PV installations might be more challenging within the immediate vicinity of Marshall due to its mountainous and forested landscape. However, there could be pockets of land within valleys or cleared areas that could potentially accommodate such projects.
It's important to note that detailed site assessments would need to be conducted to accurately determine suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations. These assessments would consider not only topographical characteristics but also factors such as local climate conditions (including average sunlight hours), proximity to power grids and potential environmental impacts.
Asheville area which is about 20 miles south-east from Marshall has flatter terrain compared with Marshall and might provide better opportunities for large scale solar photovoltaic installations.
Please note that this analysis is based on general geographical information about the region – actual suitability for solar panel installation should always involve an onsite evaluation by a professional service provider in renewable energy sector.
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: Friday 2nd of February 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.
