Phenix City, Alabama, United States, located at the coordinates 32.4227, -85.0778 in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with significant seasonal variations.

The solar energy production in this location demonstrates strong seasonal patterns. Spring and summer are particularly productive seasons, with daily outputs of 6.20kWh and 6.19kWh respectively per kW of installed capacity. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.64kWh/day, while winter experiences a significant drop to 2.91kWh/day per kW of installed solar.

Seasonal Performance

The most ideal times for solar generation in Phenix City are clearly spring and summer months, when production nearly doubles compared to winter values. This pattern follows the expected solar intensity curve for the Northern Hemisphere, with longer, more intense sun exposure during spring and summer months. The nearly identical performance between spring and summer is noteworthy, suggesting consistent solar conditions across these two seasons.

For maximum year-round energy production, fixed solar panels at this location should be installed at a tilt angle of 28 degrees facing South. This calculated optimal angle balances seasonal variations to capture the most solar energy throughout the entire year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Phenix City may impact solar production. The region experiences humid subtropical climate conditions with occasional severe weather that could affect solar output:

• Humidity and cloud cover, particularly during summer thunderstorm season, can temporarily reduce solar efficiency
• Hurricane remnants and tropical storm systems may pass through the area, bringing extended periods of overcast conditions
• Pollen and dust accumulation from surrounding pine forests and agricultural areas can gradually reduce panel efficiency if not addressed

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Phenix City should incorporate several preventative measures. Regular cleaning schedules help combat pollen and dust buildup. Installing panels with higher tilt angles than the optimal 28 degrees might be considered to promote natural cleaning from rainfall. Additionally, quality inverters with good low-light performance can help maximize energy harvest during partially cloudy conditions common in the region's humid subtropical climate.

Despite these considerations, the location's strong spring and summer performance, combined with moderate autumn production, makes it a viable location for solar PV systems, particularly if sized appropriately to account for the significant winter production decrease.

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 Phenix City

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.4227, Longitude: -85.0778 (Phenix City, 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 28° South in Phenix City, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Phenix City, United States (Lat/Long 32.4227, -85.0778) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Phenix City, 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 Phenix City, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	47° South in Winter	25° 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 Phenix City, 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 Phenix City, 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 Phenix City, United States

Phenix City is situated in eastern Alabama, right on the border with Georgia, nestled along the western bank of the Chattahoochee River. The topography of the area is characterized by gently rolling hills, with elevations typically ranging between 300 and 500 feet above sea level. The landscape features a mix of modest hills, shallow valleys, and relatively flat plateaus, creating a varied but not dramatically rugged terrain. The Chattahoochee River serves as the defining geographical feature of the region, forming the eastern boundary of Phenix City. The riverbanks rise moderately from the water, with some areas featuring steeper bluffs while others have gentler slopes. This riparian zone creates a distinct topographical element within the broader landscape.

Surrounding Terrain

Moving away from the river to the west and northwest of Phenix City, the land generally maintains its rolling character but becomes slightly more elevated. The terrain is part of the fall line that separates the Piedmont region from the Coastal Plain, marking a transition zone in Alabama's physiography. This fall line creates areas where streams and rivers descend more rapidly, sometimes forming small rapids or falls. The soil composition in the region consists primarily of sandy loams and clay, typical of the southeastern United States. Vegetation naturally covers much of the undeveloped land, with mixed pine and hardwood forests being common throughout the area.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas around Phenix City would be the flatter, elevated plateaus to the west and southwest of the city. These locations offer several advantages for solar energy development: The relatively flat terrain in these areas would minimize the costs associated with land preparation and construction. Grading expenses can significantly impact the economic viability of large solar installations, making these naturally level areas particularly attractive. These plateau regions typically have fewer tall trees and natural obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The reduced shading helps maximize solar exposure throughout the day, enhancing energy production efficiency. The slightly higher elevation of these plateaus may also provide advantages in terms of reduced morning fog and haze compared to the river valley areas, potentially allowing for earlier productive sunlight capture each day. Areas to avoid would include the steeper hillsides, which would require extensive and costly grading, and the low-lying areas near the Chattahoochee River that might be subject to occasional flooding or increased humidity and fog. Additionally, the eastern portions of Phenix City itself are more densely developed, making large-scale solar installations impractical without significant clearing and repurposing of land. The rural areas extending into Russell County to the west and southwest offer the most promising combination of suitable topography, available undeveloped land, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for connecting to the grid.

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.