Naalehu, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Naalehu varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer sees the highest production at 6.94 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows with 6.14 kWh/day, while autumn generates 5.79 kWh/day. Winter, although less productive, still maintains a respectable output of 4.58 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Naalehu is well-suited for year-round solar energy production, with summer and spring being particularly favorable seasons. The relatively small difference between the highest and lowest seasonal outputs suggests a stable and reliable solar resource throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed solar panel installations in Naalehu, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 17 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude, the Earth's orbit, and local solar irradiance patterns to ensure optimal sunlight capture across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Naalehu's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Volcanic activity: Hawaii's active volcanoes can occasionally produce ash and vog (volcanic smog), which may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Salt spray: Proximity to the ocean can lead to salt accumulation on panels, potentially affecting their performance. To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels with corrosion-resistant materials and protective coatings can help combat salt spray effects. Additionally, monitoring systems can alert owners to sudden drops in efficiency, allowing for prompt cleaning in case of ash or vog accumulation. Overall, Naalehu presents an excellent location for solar PV installations, with consistent year-round production and only minor environmental challenges that can be effectively managed with proper planning and maintenance.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

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 Naalehu

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.0676, Longitude: -155.5798 (Naalehu, 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 17° South in Naalehu, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Naalehu, United States (Lat/Long 19.0676, -155.5798) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Naalehu, 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 Naalehu, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° South in Summer	25° South in Autumn	34° South in Winter	12° 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 Naalehu, 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 Naalehu, 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 Naalehu, United States

The topography around Naalehu, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is characterized by its diverse and dramatic landscape. Situated in the southern part of the island, Naalehu is surrounded by a mix of gently rolling hills, steep volcanic slopes, and expansive lava fields. The area's elevation gradually increases as you move inland from the coast, with the terrain becoming more rugged and mountainous. To the north of Naalehu, the land rises towards the massive Mauna Loa volcano, one of the largest shield volcanoes on Earth. This gradual ascent creates a series of slopes and plateaus, interspersed with valleys and gulches carved by ancient lava flows and erosion. The eastern and western sides of Naalehu feature similar topography, with undulating hills and valleys that eventually give way to the coastline. South of Naalehu, the land slopes more steeply towards the ocean, creating dramatic sea cliffs in some areas. The coastline itself is a mix of rocky outcrops, black sand beaches, and small bays. The nearby South Point, the southernmost tip of the United States, features flat grasslands that end abruptly at the ocean's edge.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Naalehu for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be those that offer relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal environmental impact. The expansive lava fields to the east and northeast of Naalehu present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas are generally flat, sparsely vegetated, and receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. The lack of dense vegetation and human settlement in these regions makes them ideal candidates for large-scale solar installations. Another potentially suitable area lies to the south of Naalehu, towards South Point. The open grasslands in this region offer flat terrain and excellent sun exposure. However, developers would need to carefully consider the potential impact on the area's cultural and historical significance, as South Point is an important site for Native Hawaiians. The gently sloping hills to the west and northwest of Naalehu could also accommodate solar PV installations, although some grading might be necessary to create level surfaces for the panels. These areas benefit from good sun exposure and are generally less ecologically sensitive than the higher elevation forests further inland. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development in the area would require careful environmental and cultural impact assessments, as well as consideration of the region's unique geological features and potential volcanic activity. Additionally, the proximity to the ocean and exposure to salt spray may necessitate specialized equipment and maintenance procedures to ensure the longevity and efficiency of solar installations in this coastal environment.

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.