Solar Energy Potential in Pahoa, Hawaii

Pahoa, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a compelling location for solar energy generation. Situated in the tropics where sunlight remains fairly consistent throughout the year, this location demonstrates good potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The seasonal solar energy production in Pahoa shows interesting patterns. During summer months, solar panels can generate approximately 7.33 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.87 kWh/day, while autumn produces about 5.99 kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest output at 4.79 kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This seasonal variation indicates that while Pahoa experiences some fluctuation in solar production throughout the year, the difference between the highest and lowest producing seasons is less dramatic than in locations further from the equator. Even during winter months, the solar generation capability remains reasonably strong.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Pahoa, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 17 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant environmental factors could impact solar production in Pahoa:

• Volcanic activity: Pahoa is located near Kilauea volcano, which can produce vog (volcanic smog) and ash that may temporarily reduce solar efficiency by blocking sunlight.
• High humidity and rainfall: The tropical location experiences significant rainfall, particularly during the wet season, which can reduce solar production.
• Salt air exposure: Proximity to the ocean means salt spray can accumulate on panels, potentially causing corrosion and reducing efficiency.
• Occasional cloud cover: Despite being in the tropics, cloud patterns can affect day-to-day production.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures are recommended: Using marine-grade components and corrosion-resistant mounting hardware can mitigate salt air damage. Regular cleaning schedules will help remove salt deposits and volcanic ash. Installing slightly more capacity than needed can compensate for reduced production during volcanic events or extended rainy periods. Self-cleaning panel technologies or panels with hydrophobic coatings may be particularly valuable in this location to reduce maintenance needs. Additionally, microinverter or power optimizer systems can help minimize the impact of partial shading from passing clouds. Despite these challenges, Pahoa's consistent year-round sunshine and relatively small seasonal variation make it a favorable location for solar energy production, particularly during the summer and spring months.

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 Pahoa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.494, Longitude: -154.9443 (Pahoa, 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 Pahoa, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pahoa, United States (Lat/Long 19.494, -154.9443) 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 Pahoa, 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 Pahoa, 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
4° South in Summer	25° South in Autumn	35° 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 Pahoa, 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 Pahoa, 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 Pahoa, United States

Pahoa is situated on the southeastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii, within the Puna District. The topography around Pahoa is characterized by a relatively gentle slope that descends from the flanks of Kilauea volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. The elevation gradually decreases from approximately 650 feet above sea level in the western portions near Pahoa to sea level along the coastline about 6 miles to the east. The landscape exhibits distinctive volcanic features, as it sits on relatively young lava flows. The terrain consists predominantly of solidified pahoehoe and a'a lava fields from various historic and prehistoric eruptions from Kilauea. Some areas display dramatic lava fields with minimal soil development, while others have accumulated enough soil to support lush tropical vegetation. The 2018 lower Puna eruption significantly altered portions of the landscape southeast of Pahoa, creating new lava fields and destroying several communities.

Vegetation and Land Cover

The natural vegetation around Pahoa is predominantly tropical rainforest, with areas of secondary growth where human activities have disturbed the original forest. The region receives substantial rainfall, supporting dense vegetation in areas where lava flows are old enough to have developed soil. Closer to the ocean, the vegetation transitions to more coastal species adapted to salt spray and stronger winds.

Terrain Considerations for Solar PV

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Pahoa offer favorable conditions: The relatively flat lava fields to the south and southeast of Pahoa provide expansive open spaces with minimal shading from tall vegetation or topographic features. These areas receive abundant solar radiation due to their low elevation and limited cloud cover compared to higher elevation areas on the island. The gently sloping terrain between Pahoa and Kalapana, where some areas were covered by recent lava flows, presents opportunities for solar development on land that has limited agricultural potential. These areas feature stable, solid surfaces that could support mounting systems without extensive site preparation. Areas along Highway 130 corridor south of Pahoa, where the terrain is relatively flat and some cleared lands exist, could accommodate solar installations with good access to existing transmission infrastructure.

Challenges in the Landscape

Despite these favorable areas, the topography around Pahoa presents some challenges for solar development. The region's volcanic activity represents a significant risk factor, as evidenced by the 2018 eruption. Areas closer to the East Rift Zone of Kilauea have higher volcanic hazard ratings. Additionally, some portions of the landscape feature numerous small depressions, cracks, and uneven surfaces created by lava flow dynamics, which would require site leveling and preparation. The tropical vegetation grows rapidly in untended areas, potentially increasing maintenance requirements for keeping solar arrays free from shading. The coastal areas, while flat, are subject to potential sea level rise and occasional tsunami threats, making areas slightly inland (1-3 miles from the coast) at elevations of 100-300 feet potentially more suitable for long-term infrastructure investments.

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.