Solar PV Analysis of Lafayette, Tennessee, United States
Lafayette, Tennessee is a decent place for generating solar energy throughout the year. During each season, the amount of electricity you can expect to generate from every kilowatt of installed solar panels varies.
In simple terms, during summer and spring seasons, the output is higher with an average of about 6.44 and 5.64 kilowatt-hours per day respectively. This means that these are the best times in Lafayette to generate solar power because there's more sunlight available.
On the other hand, autumn and winter have lower outputs at around 4.06 and 2.51 kilowatt-hours per day respectively due to less sunlight available during these seasons.
For those looking to install fixed panel solar systems in Lafayette, tilting your panels at an angle of 32 degrees towards South would give you maximum energy production all year round.
However, it's also important to consider some local factors that could affect your solar production negatively in this location:
1) Weather Conditions: Given that Lafayette experiences different weather conditions across various seasons including cloudy days especially during winter months; this will likely decrease your overall yearly yield as less sunlight reaches your panels on such days.
Preventative Measure: Regular maintenance checks on your system can help ensure optimal functioning despite varying weather conditions.
2) Seasonal Variations: As mentioned earlier, certain seasons like autumn and winter produce less energy due to shorter daylight hours.
Preventative Measure: To counterbalance this effect over time, consider installing additional capacity or using battery storage systems so as not to fall short on power supply during these periods.
3) Potential Shading Issues: Any potential obstructions such as tall buildings or trees around could block direct sunlight reaching your panels thus reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Prior proper site assessment before installation can help identify any potential shading issues which may then be mitigated by choosing a more suitable location if possible or trimming down obstructing trees.
In conclusion, while Lafayette, Tennessee provides a good environment for solar power generation, it's important to consider these factors and take appropriate measures to ensure maximum energy production.
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 Lafayette, Tennessee
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.5438, Longitude: -86.0245 (Lafayette, Tennessee, 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 Lafayette, Tennessee, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lafayette, Tennessee, United States (Lat/Long 36.5438, -86.0245) 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 Lafayette, Tennessee, 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 Lafayette, Tennessee, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 29° 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 Lafayette, Tennessee, 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 Lafayette, Tennessee, 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 Lafayette, Tennessee, United States
The coordinates provided point to Lafayette, Tennessee in the United States. The topography around this area is characterized by rolling hills, flat farmlands and forests. It's a part of the Highland Rim, an elevated plateau surrounding the Nashville Basin.
Regarding solar PV installations, large-scale solar projects require areas with high solar irradiance and relatively flat terrain for maximum efficiency and easier installation. In general terms:
1) Open fields or farmland: These areas are often ideal as they offer vast, unobstructed space for the placement of solar panels. Given that Lafayette has considerable amounts of farmland in its vicinity, these could be potential sites for large-scale PV installations.
2) Rooftops in urban or industrial areas: Large rooftops such as those on warehouses or factories can also be suitable locations for installing solar panels.
3) Brownfield sites: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use – like old industrial sites or landfills. They have already been disturbed and may not have many other viable uses making them good candidates for renewable energy development.
However, it’s important to note that successful implementation would also depend on factors such as local climate (sunlight hours), regulations regarding land use and renewable energy installations etc., which need to be thoroughly investigated before embarking on any large-scale project.
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 11th of July 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.
