Conway, South Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 33.8769, -79.0512, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows significant seasonal fluctuation. Spring emerges as the peak production season, generating 6.38 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.24 kWh per day per kW, making these two seasons the most productive months for solar energy generation. Autumn shows a moderate decline to 4.51 kWh per day per kW, while winter represents the least productive period at just 2.90 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. This winter dip is typical for locations at this latitude, where shorter days and lower sun angles significantly impact solar production. For optimal year-round energy production, fixed solar panels at this Conway location should be tilted at 30 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Conway's coastal South Carolina location presents several environmental factors that can significantly impact solar energy production. The area's subtropical climate brings high humidity levels year-round, which can reduce solar panel efficiency and create conditions for faster degradation of equipment if not properly managed. The region experiences frequent thunderstorms, particularly during summer months, which can temporarily reduce solar output and pose risks to solar installations. Hurricane season, typically running from June through November, presents the most serious threat to solar installations, with potential for severe wind damage and flying debris. Conway's proximity to the coast means salt air exposure, which can accelerate corrosion of metal components in solar installations. Additionally, the area's flat topography and frequent rainfall can lead to standing water issues around ground-mounted systems.

Preventative Installation Measures

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar production and system longevity in Conway's challenging environment:

• Use marine-grade aluminum mounting systems and stainless steel hardware to resist salt air corrosion
• Install panels with enhanced wind ratings suitable for hurricane-prone areas, typically rated for winds of 140+ mph
• Implement proper drainage systems around ground-mounted installations to prevent water accumulation
• Choose solar panels with anti-reflective coatings and robust frame designs that perform better in high humidity
• Install lightning protection systems and surge protectors to safeguard against frequent thunderstorm activity

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this environment. Monthly cleaning may be necessary during pollen season and after storms, while annual professional inspections should check for corrosion, loose connections, and weather damage. Despite these challenges, Conway's strong spring and summer solar production makes it a viable location for solar energy generation, provided installations are properly designed and maintained to withstand the local environmental conditions.

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 Conway, South Carolina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8769, Longitude: -79.0512 (Conway, 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 Conway, South Carolina, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Conway, South Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 33.8769, -79.0512) 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 Conway, 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 Conway, 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	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 Conway, 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 Conway, 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 Conway, South Carolina, United States

Topography Around Conway, South Carolina

Conway sits in the heart of South Carolina's coastal plain region, characterized by remarkably flat terrain that extends across much of the southeastern United States. The landscape around this area consists primarily of low-lying plains with gentle rolling hills that rarely exceed 100 feet in elevation above sea level. This topographical setting creates an ideal foundation for large-scale development projects, as the minimal elevation changes reduce construction complexity and costs.

The region features a mix of agricultural farmland, pine forests, and wetland areas typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Much of the surrounding countryside consists of former tobacco and cotton fields that have been converted to other crops or allowed to return to forest. These flat agricultural areas, particularly those no longer in active cultivation, present excellent opportunities for solar installations due to their open exposure and minimal shading obstacles.

Soil and Drainage Characteristics

The soil composition around Conway consists mainly of sandy loam and clay-based soils that provide stable foundations for solar mounting systems. The coastal plain geology means the bedrock lies relatively deep beneath the surface, but the soil layers above offer sufficient bearing capacity for standard solar racking systems. Drainage patterns in the area are generally well-established, though some low-lying areas may experience seasonal water accumulation during heavy rainfall periods.

The Waccamaw River system influences much of the local hydrology, creating some wetland areas that would be unsuitable for development. However, the majority of the surrounding landscape features adequate drainage and sits well above flood-prone elevations, making it suitable for permanent installations.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations lie in the agricultural areas northwest and southwest of Conway. These zones offer several key advantages including flat topography, minimal tree coverage, and existing road access for construction and maintenance activities. Former farmland in these directions typically features open fields of 50 acres or more, providing sufficient space for utility-scale solar arrays.

Areas along Highway 501 extending westward from Conway present particularly attractive development opportunities. The terrain remains consistently flat while offering proximity to existing electrical transmission infrastructure. Similarly, the farmland regions south of Conway toward the Waccamaw River corridor provide expansive flat areas, though developers would need to carefully avoid wetland boundaries and flood-prone zones.

The eastern approaches toward Myrtle Beach become increasingly developed with residential and commercial properties, making large-scale solar development more challenging and expensive. However, smaller parcels in this direction could still accommodate community-scale solar installations where appropriate zoning exists.

Transportation access represents another significant advantage for solar development around Conway. The intersection of major highways provides excellent logistics support for construction equipment and ongoing maintenance operations. The flat terrain minimizes the need for extensive site preparation and grading work that would be required in more mountainous regions, reducing overall project costs and environmental impact.

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.