Solar PV Analysis of Palm Bay, United States
Palm Bay, Florida, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 28.016 and longitude -80.6727 provides ample sunlight for consistent solar power production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy output in Palm Bay varies across seasons, with spring and summer being the most productive periods. In spring, panels can generate an impressive 6.60 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.16 kWh/day. Autumn sees a slight decrease to 4.78 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.03 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial solar potential during spring and summer makes these seasons ideal for maximizing energy production. However, even during the less productive autumn and winter months, the output remains relatively high compared to many other locations, ensuring year-round viability for solar power generation.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Palm Bay, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 25 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Palm Bay's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Hurricane risk: Florida's susceptibility to hurricanes can pose a threat to solar installations. To mitigate this risk, use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and high-quality, durable panels.
- High humidity: The area's humidity can lead to moisture accumulation on panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help prevent any potential reduction in efficiency.
Despite these factors, they are not significant enough to outweigh the benefits of solar energy production in Palm Bay. With proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, these potential issues can be effectively managed, ensuring optimal solar energy generation throughout the year.
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 Palm Bay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.016, Longitude: -80.6727 (Palm Bay, 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 25° South in Palm Bay, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Palm Bay, United States (Lat/Long 28.016, -80.6727) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° South in Summer | 33° South in Autumn | 43° South in Winter | 21° 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 Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay, United States
Palm Bay, located in Brevard County, Florida, is characterized by a relatively flat topography typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The area around Palm Bay consists primarily of low-lying land with minimal elevation changes. The city itself sits at an average elevation of about 19 feet (5.8 meters) above sea level.
The landscape in and around Palm Bay is dominated by a mix of urban development, wetlands, and pine flatwoods. To the west of the city, you'll find the St. Johns River and its associated floodplain, which includes numerous marshes and swamps. To the east, the terrain gradually slopes towards the Atlantic Ocean, with barrier islands and the Indian River Lagoon separating the mainland from the open sea.
Given the area's topography and climate, several nearby locations could be suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations. The most promising areas would likely be found in the less developed regions to the west and southwest of Palm Bay. These areas often feature open, flat land with good sun exposure, which is ideal for solar farms.
Specifically, the rural areas in southern Brevard County and northern Indian River County might offer suitable locations for solar PV projects. These regions typically have lower population density and larger tracts of undeveloped land. Additionally, some of the agricultural areas surrounding Palm Bay could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production, as they often provide the necessary space and sunlight exposure.
It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable for solar installations, other factors such as environmental regulations, zoning laws, and proximity to existing power infrastructure would also need to be considered when selecting sites for large-scale solar PV projects. The presence of wetlands and protected habitats in the region may limit the available land for development in some areas.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 21st of August 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.
