Solar PV Analysis of Norfolk, United States
Norfolk, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, is a fairly good location for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels installed here varies with each season. During the summer months, you can expect to generate about 6.54 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This output drops to about 4.34 kWh/day in autumn and further dips to around 2.71 kWh/day in winter due to fewer daylight hours and lower sun angles during these seasons. However, it picks up again in spring with an average output of about 6.12 kWh/day.
Given these figures, the best times for generating solar energy at this location would be during summer and spring when daily sunlight hours are longer and the sun is higher in the sky.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 32 degrees towards south will maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic system.
As far as environmental or local factors that could impede solar production at this location are concerned, there aren't any significant ones that stand out immediately but it's important to consider potential issues such as shading from buildings or trees which could block sunlight reaching your panels; if so then you'd need to carefully select your installation site or trim any obstructions where possible.
In terms of weather-related factors; Norfolk does have periodic occurrences of thunderstorms especially during summer which may temporarily reduce sunlight availability but overall it shouldn't significantly impact annual output levels since these events tend not to last very long.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges: regular cleaning/maintenance is recommended as dust/dirt can accumulate on panel surfaces over time reducing their efficiency; also consider using a tracking system which follows the sun's path across the sky throughout day maximizing exposure time - this can help offset any losses due to less-than-ideal weather conditions or potential shading issues.
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 Norfolk
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8882, Longitude: -76.3002 (Norfolk, 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 32° South in Norfolk, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Norfolk, United States (Lat/Long 36.8882, -76.3002) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, United States
Norfolk, Virginia, is located in the southeastern part of the state and is largely characterized by flat coastal plains. The city is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain region which extends from New Jersey to Florida. This area has a relatively low elevation with gradual slopes, and it's surrounded by water bodies including Chesapeake Bay and several rivers.
The terrain around Norfolk is generally flat to slightly rolling, making it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. There are no significant hills or mountains that would obstruct sunlight. Furthermore, this region receives an average of 213 sunny days per year which makes it a good location for solar energy production.
Large-scale solar PV projects require vast areas of open land that are not shaded by trees or buildings. Therefore, rural areas outside the city limits would be most suitable for these types of projects due to less development and obstruction. Nearby counties like Isle of Wight County or Southampton County could potentially offer suitable sites for large-scale solar installations.
However, before proceeding with any such project in these areas, factors like local zoning laws and regulations as well as environmental impacts need to be taken into account.
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: Thursday 14th of March 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.
