Solar Energy Potential in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 33.8341, -78.6586, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with significant seasonal variations. The solar energy production potential in this coastal location shows strong performance during the warmer months. Summer delivers the highest energy output at 6.45 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.41 kWh/day per kW, making the period from approximately March through August the prime time for solar energy generation in this area. Production decreases notably during the cooler months, with autumn generating 4.52 kWh/day per kW. Winter shows the most significant drop, with just 2.92 kWh/day per kW, less than half of the summer production capability. For residents and businesses considering fixed solar panel installations in North Myrtle Beach, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 29 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to capture the most solar energy across all seasons, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in North Myrtle Beach can impact solar production:

• Hurricane exposure and severe coastal storms can damage solar installations if not properly secured and rated for high winds.
• Salt air corrosion from the nearby Atlantic Ocean can degrade equipment more rapidly than in inland locations.
• Occasional tropical systems bring extended periods of cloud cover that can significantly reduce production.
• Summer humidity and heat can slightly reduce panel efficiency compared to cooler, drier climates.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in North Myrtle Beach should include hurricane-rated mounting systems capable of withstanding coastal wind loads. Marine-grade components with corrosion-resistant coatings are essential for longevity in the salt air environment. Regular cleaning to remove salt deposits and debris will help maintain optimal efficiency, while microinverter or power optimizer technology can minimize production losses during partial shading from storm clouds. Despite these challenges, the substantial production potential during spring and summer months makes North Myrtle Beach a viable location for solar energy, particularly for systems designed with these local environmental 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 North Myrtle Beach

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8341, Longitude: -78.6586 (North Myrtle Beach, 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 29° South in North Myrtle Beach, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Myrtle Beach, United States (Lat/Long 33.8341, -78.6586) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 North Myrtle Beach, 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 North Myrtle Beach, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° 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	26° 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 North Myrtle Beach, 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 North Myrtle Beach, 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 North Myrtle Beach, United States

North Myrtle Beach is located along the northeastern coast of South Carolina, characterized by a flat, coastal plain topography typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic region. The landscape around North Myrtle Beach features minimal elevation changes, with most of the area sitting just a few feet above sea level. The immediate coastline consists of wide, sandy beaches backed by low dunes, while slightly inland, the terrain transitions to coastal woodlands, wetlands, and marshy areas. The Intracoastal Waterway runs parallel to the shoreline, creating a natural division between the beach areas and the mainland. This waterway, along with numerous tidal creeks and salt marshes, contributes to the area's distinctive flat, water-rich landscape. Moving further inland, the topography remains predominantly level, with occasional gentle undulations and slightly higher elevations that rarely exceed 25-30 feet above sea level.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV Development

Several areas near North Myrtle Beach could potentially support large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, though the region's characteristics present both advantages and challenges. The inland areas of Horry County, particularly those west and northwest of North Myrtle Beach, offer more suitable conditions for large-scale solar development. These areas feature larger tracts of cleared agricultural land that provide the necessary space for solar arrays without significant topographical barriers. The relatively flat terrain minimizes grading costs and engineering challenges associated with uneven surfaces. Specifically, the rural areas around communities such as Loris, Aynor, and Conway present opportunities for solar development. These locations are far enough inland to avoid the higher property values of beachfront areas while still being close enough to existing electrical infrastructure. The agricultural zones in western Horry County have already seen interest from renewable energy developers due to their combination of suitable land, minimal flooding concerns, and proximity to transmission infrastructure. The flat topography throughout the region is generally favorable for solar installation, as it minimizes shading issues and simplifies the construction process. However, developers must carefully consider the region's susceptibility to hurricanes and tropical storms when designing solar installations. Additionally, the numerous wetlands and conservation areas that dot the landscape may restrict development in certain locations. Areas to avoid would include the immediate coastal zone, which has high property values, significant tourism development, and exposure to coastal storms. Similarly, the extensive wetland systems throughout the region are protected by various regulations and would be unsuitable for development from both legal and environmental perspectives. For optimal solar PV siting, the agricultural transition zones between the coastal development and the more rural inland areas offer a balance of favorable topography, land availability, and proximity to infrastructure while minimizing environmental and regulatory challenges.

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.