Solar Energy Potential in Florence, South Carolina

Florence, South Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.1847, -79.7704, offers generally favorable conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with significant seasonal variations. The solar energy production potential shows strong seasonal patterns. Summer yields the highest output at 6.49kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.11kWh/day. Autumn production decreases to 4.46kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest generation at just 2.82kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Performance

For residents of Florence considering solar installation, it's worth noting that approximately 65% of the annual solar production occurs during spring and summer months. This makes the period from March through September particularly advantageous for solar energy generation. The substantial drop in winter production (less than half of summer values) indicates that supplementary energy sources may be beneficial during the winter months for those seeking complete energy independence.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Florence, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to optimize annual solar collection based on Florence's specific latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Florence:

• Hurricane risk: Florence's proximity to the Atlantic coast means occasional exposure to tropical storms and hurricanes. Solar installations should use hurricane-rated mounting systems and panels that can withstand high winds.
• High humidity: The region's subtropical climate brings high humidity levels that can accelerate degradation of electrical components. Using marine-grade wiring and weather-sealed junction boxes can mitigate this issue.
• Tree coverage: Florence has substantial tree canopy in many neighborhoods. Proper site assessment to minimize shading is essential, potentially including selective pruning or panel positioning to avoid shade during peak production hours.
• Summer thunderstorms: The region experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months. Quality surge protection and proper grounding are important safeguards for system longevity.

Despite these considerations, Florence's overall solar potential makes it a worthwhile location for PV installations, particularly for systems designed with these regional factors in mind.

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 Florence, South Carolina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.1847, Longitude: -79.7704 (Florence, South Carolina, 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 30° South in Florence, South Carolina, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Florence, South Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 34.1847, -79.7704) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Florence, South Carolina, 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 Florence, South Carolina, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	49° South in Winter	27° 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 Florence, South Carolina, 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 Florence, South Carolina, 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 Florence, South Carolina, United States

The area surrounding Florence, South Carolina, situated at 34.1847°N and 79.7704°W, features a predominantly flat to gently rolling landscape characteristic of the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic region. This topography was formed over millions of years as sediments deposited from ancient seas and rivers created the relatively level terrain seen today. The elevation around Florence generally ranges between 100 to 150 feet above sea level, with minimal dramatic changes in elevation throughout the immediate vicinity. Florence sits in what geographers call the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, named after the Pee Dee River that flows nearby. This river and its tributaries have shaped the subtle contours of the land, creating shallow valleys and slight undulations across an otherwise level landscape. The soil composition consists primarily of sandy loams and clay, reflecting the area's coastal plain origins.

Surrounding Landscape Features

To the east of Florence, the terrain continues its gentle slope toward the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 50 miles away. This gradual descent is part of the broader coastal plain that extends along much of the southeastern United States. The western portions of the region show slightly more elevation variation as the land begins an almost imperceptible rise toward the Piedmont region, though this transition occurs well beyond Florence's immediate vicinity. Vegetation in the area naturally consists of mixed pine and hardwood forests, though much of the land has been cleared for agricultural use and urban development. The flat topography has made the region conducive to farming, with many open fields and cleared areas surrounding the city.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The topographical characteristics of the Florence area present several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development. The predominantly flat terrain eliminates many of the engineering challenges associated with constructing solar arrays on variable slopes, reducing construction costs and simplifying installation processes. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the agricultural and rural lands to the south and east of Florence. These areas benefit from: 1. Relatively flat, open terrain with minimal shading concerns from natural features 2. Existing cleared land that would require minimal site preparation 3. Lower population density, reducing potential land use conflicts 4. Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, as Florence serves as a regional transportation and utility hub Particularly promising are the areas along Highway 76 toward Timmonsville and the rural regions southeast of Florence toward Johnsonville. These locations combine favorable topography with suitable land availability. The flat terrain in these areas would minimize earth-moving costs during construction and allow for optimal panel orientation. The sandy loam soils common to the region also provide reasonable drainage characteristics, an important consideration for maintaining access to solar installations throughout the year. Additionally, the limited flood risk in slightly elevated areas makes them more suitable for electrical infrastructure development. While the entire region around Florence benefits from a favorable solar resource due to its latitude and climate conditions, the combination of flat terrain, existing cleared land, and lower population density makes the rural areas to the south and east particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV development.

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.