Solar PV Analysis of Murfreesboro, United States
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in the United States is a fairly good location for generating energy through solar panels year-round. The amount of electricity you can produce depends on the season:
- In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.28 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed.
- In autumn, this drops slightly to around 4.30 kWh/day per kW.
- Winter sees the lowest production with only about 2.61 kWh/day per kW.
- Spring picks up again with around 5.69 kWh/day per kW.
So if we look at these numbers, it's clear that summer and spring are the best times for solar energy generation in Murfreesboro due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
For optimal results from your solar panel installation in this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing South. This will help maximize your total yearly energy production from these panels.
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels in Murfreesboro:
1) Weather: Tennessee experiences a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year which could reduce sunlight exposure on cloudy or rainy days.
2) Trees or buildings: These might shade your solar panels if they're nearby and tall enough.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Consider installing a tracking system that would allow your panels to move along with the sun during the day to increase their exposure time.
2) Trim any trees blocking sunlight reaching your panels and make sure there are no tall structures obstructing them either when choosing where to install them on your property
3) Regularly clean and maintain your panel surfaces so they remain efficient even under less ideal weather conditions like rain or dust accumulation over time.
In conclusion, while it may not be perfect all year round due to seasonal and environmental factors, Murfreesboro can still be a productive location for solar energy generation with the right setup and maintenance.
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 Murfreesboro
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8451, Longitude: -86.4901 (Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Murfreesboro, United States (Lat/Long 35.8451, -86.4901) 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 Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 28° 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 Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, United States
Murfreesboro, located in the state of Tennessee, United States, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and flat plains. The area has an elevation ranging from approximately 600 to 1100 feet above sea level.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal as they minimize installation costs and maximize exposure to sunlight. Given this criterion, the plains around Murfreesboro would be more suited for such installations.
However, other factors must also be considered for selecting a site for solar PV installations. These include the availability of sunlight (solar irradiance), proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid-connected systems), land use restrictions or zoning laws (which may restrict certain types of development), environmental considerations (such as potential impacts on local wildlife or ecosystems) and community acceptance.
In terms of solar irradiance, Tennessee receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar power generation.
Specifically looking at areas near Murfreesboro that could potentially host large scale solar farms - regions with significant agricultural activities like Lascassas and Rockvale could be considered due to their relatively flat terrain and open spaces. But this should only be done after careful consideration regarding impact on agriculture and local communities' acceptance towards such projects.
It's important to note that these recommendations are general in nature; detailed feasibility studies would need to be conducted before any specific location can definitively be identified as suitable for large-scale solar PV installation.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 3rd of May 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.
