McKenzie, Tennessee, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 36.1228, -88.5069, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the highest energy generation at 6.51 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the prime season for solar production. Spring follows as the second-best performing season with 5.63 kWh per day per kW, offering strong solar generation potential. Autumn shows a notable decline in solar output, producing 4.14 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. Winter presents the most challenging conditions for solar generation, with output dropping to just 2.49 kWh per day per kW, representing less than 40% of summer production levels. For optimal year-round performance at this McKenzie location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 31 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual solar production by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and the area's specific latitude.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the McKenzie, Tennessee region can impact solar energy generation:

• Frequent cloud cover and overcast skies, particularly during winter months, which significantly reduce solar irradiance
• High humidity levels common in Tennessee that can create hazy atmospheric conditions, filtering sunlight before it reaches solar panels
• Severe weather events including thunderstorms, hail, and occasional ice storms that can damage panels or reduce efficiency
• Pollen accumulation during spring months, which can coat panel surfaces and reduce light absorption

Preventative Measures for Enhanced Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these local challenges, several installation strategies can be employed: Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly during pollen season in spring and after dust storms. Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings and self-cleaning surfaces can help maintain efficiency between manual cleanings. Proper panel mounting systems should be designed to withstand local weather extremes, including wind loads from thunderstorms and potential hail damage. Impact-resistant tempered glass and robust aluminum frames provide better durability. Strategic placement away from large trees or structures that might create shadows is crucial, especially given the already reduced winter production levels. Even partial shading can dramatically decrease panel efficiency. Installing monitoring systems allows for quick identification of performance issues, enabling prompt maintenance that keeps the system operating at peak capacity throughout the varying seasonal conditions that characterize this Tennessee location.

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 McKenzie

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.1228, Longitude: -88.5069 (McKenzie, 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 31° South in McKenzie, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in McKenzie, United States (Lat/Long 36.1228, -88.5069) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 McKenzie, 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 McKenzie, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 McKenzie, 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 McKenzie, 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 McKenzie, United States

Topographical Features Around McKenzie

McKenzie sits in the western portion of Tennessee, positioned within the gently rolling landscape characteristic of the Tennessee River valley region. The terrain around this area consists primarily of low hills and broad valleys, with elevations typically ranging from about 400 to 600 feet above sea level. The topography is generally considered mild, without the steep mountainous terrain found in eastern Tennessee or the completely flat delta regions further south. The landscape features a mix of agricultural fields, pastureland, and scattered woodlands. Small creeks and tributaries flow through the area, creating subtle drainage patterns that have shaped the local terrain over time. These waterways have carved gentle valleys between the low ridges, creating a moderately undulating surface across the region.

Soil and Drainage Characteristics

The underlying geology consists mainly of sedimentary rocks, including limestone and sandstone formations that contribute to generally well-drained soils. The area experiences typical seasonal weather patterns with adequate precipitation, though the rolling topography allows for good natural drainage in most locations. Clay content varies throughout the region, with some areas having heavier clay soils while others feature more sandy loam compositions.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be the broader, flatter valley areas and gentle south-facing slopes throughout the region. These areas offer several advantages including minimal grading requirements, reduced construction costs, and optimal solar exposure throughout the day. The agricultural fields that dot the landscape often occupy these flatter areas, making them particularly attractive for solar development due to their existing cleared status and generally level terrain. Ridge tops and south-facing hillsides with gradual slopes also present good opportunities for solar installations, particularly where the terrain doesn't exceed slopes of 10-15 degrees. These elevated positions can offer excellent exposure while still maintaining reasonable construction feasibility. Areas to avoid would include the steeper north-facing slopes, heavily wooded sections that would require extensive clearing, and low-lying areas near creeks and drainage ways that might experience seasonal flooding or excessive moisture. The numerous small valleys and hollows scattered throughout the region, while picturesque, would generally be less suitable due to potential shading issues and drainage concerns. The relatively stable geology and well-drained soils in most of the suitable areas would support the foundation requirements for solar mounting systems, whether ground-mounted or tracking installations. The mix of open agricultural land and gently rolling terrain provides numerous sites where large solar arrays could be installed with minimal environmental disruption and optimal energy production potential.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.