Mathis, Texas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 28.0945, -97.8281, offers reasonably good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations that potential solar installers should understand.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies significantly throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.86 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.32 kWh per day per kW, while autumn produces 5.15 kWh per day per kW. Winter presents the most challenging conditions, dropping to just 3.45 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. This represents a 50% reduction compared to summer output, which is typical for locations at this latitude but still allows for meaningful energy production during the cooler months. For optimal year-round performance, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 25 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the seasons and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Mathis area can impact solar panel performance:

• High humidity and coastal proximity: Being relatively close to the Gulf of Mexico, the area experiences high humidity levels that can reduce solar panel efficiency and promote faster accumulation of dirt and debris on panel surfaces
• Severe weather events: The region is susceptible to hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe thunderstorms that can damage panels or create extended periods of heavy cloud cover
• Dust and pollen: The semi-arid climate combined with agricultural activities can lead to dust accumulation, while seasonal pollen from local vegetation can coat panels
• Extreme heat: Summer temperatures can become quite intense, which actually reduces solar panel efficiency despite the increased sunlight

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these challenges:

• Regular cleaning schedule: Implement monthly panel cleaning during high-pollen seasons and after dust storms to maintain optimal light transmission
• Hurricane-resistant mounting: Use reinforced mounting systems designed to withstand high winds and consider panels with stronger frames and tempered glass
• Proper ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow around panels to help combat efficiency losses from extreme heat
• Quality inverters: Install inverters rated for high-temperature operation and consider micro-inverters to minimize system-wide impacts from partial shading

Despite these challenges, Mathis offers decent solar potential, particularly during the warmer months. The location's relatively southern latitude helps maintain reasonable winter production compared to more northern locations, making it a viable option for solar energy generation with proper planning and maintenance.

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 Mathis

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.0945, Longitude: -97.8281 (Mathis, 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 25° South in Mathis, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mathis, United States (Lat/Long 28.0945, -97.8281) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Mathis, 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 Mathis, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
12° South in Summer	33° South in Autumn	44° South in Winter	21° 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 Mathis, 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 Mathis, 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 Mathis, United States

Topographical Features Around Mathis, Texas

The landscape surrounding Mathis, Texas is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the South Texas Coastal Plain region. This area sits at a relatively low elevation, approximately 200 feet above sea level, with subtle undulations that create a mix of shallow valleys and modest ridges. The topography is predominantly flat to gently sloping, making it part of the broader Gulf Coastal Plain that extends inland from the Texas coast. The region features a combination of agricultural lands, ranch properties, and scattered wooded areas dominated by mesquite, oak, and other drought-tolerant vegetation. Small creeks and seasonal waterways meander through the landscape, creating minor drainage patterns that add gentle contours to the otherwise relatively level terrain. The soil composition varies from sandy loam to clay, with some areas containing caliche deposits that create harder subsurface conditions.

Climate and Weather Patterns

Mathis experiences a semi-arid to subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The area receives moderate rainfall, typically concentrated during spring and fall months, with occasional severe weather events including thunderstorms and rare winter freezes. Wind patterns are generally consistent, with prevailing southeasterly breezes from the Gulf of Mexico moderating temperatures throughout much of the year. The relatively stable weather patterns and minimal extreme weather events make this region well-suited for outdoor infrastructure installations. Cloud cover tends to be variable but not excessive, with many clear days throughout the year providing favorable conditions for solar energy generation.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Mathis would be the expansive flat to gently rolling agricultural and ranch lands that dominate the surrounding countryside. These areas offer several key advantages including minimal topographical obstacles, existing road access for construction and maintenance, and large contiguous parcels of land necessary for utility-scale solar farms. Areas to the west and northwest of Mathis present particularly favorable conditions, where the terrain is relatively flat and consists primarily of grazing land and crop fields. These locations typically have fewer trees and natural obstacles, reducing the need for extensive site preparation and minimizing shading issues that could impact solar panel efficiency. The slightly elevated ridges and plateaus scattered throughout the region also present excellent opportunities for solar development. These elevated areas often provide better drainage, reducing concerns about standing water during heavy rainfall periods, while still maintaining the gentle slopes that are ideal for solar panel installation and maintenance access. Ranch lands with existing cleared areas would be particularly well-suited for solar development, as they often feature large open spaces with established access roads and minimal environmental constraints. The existing agricultural infrastructure in many of these areas, including power lines and road networks, could facilitate the integration of solar installations with the electrical grid. Areas closer to existing transmission infrastructure would be especially attractive for large-scale solar development, as they would minimize the costs and complexity associated with connecting new solar facilities to the regional power grid. The relatively stable geology and soil conditions throughout most of the region provide good foundations for solar mounting systems, whether ground-mounted or tracking installations.

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.