Solar PV Analysis of Pittsboro, United States
Pittsboro, North Carolina, is a pretty decent spot for solar power generation throughout the year. This is due to its location in the Northern Temperate Zone which receives a good amount of sunlight.
In terms of seasons, summer and spring are the best times to generate solar energy because there's more sunlight during these periods. Specifically, you can expect about 6.61 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 6.02 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels.
However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter with less sunlight available, energy production drops off quite a bit - down to around 4.45 kWh/day in Autumn and even lower at 2.82 kWh/day during Winter.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of about 31 degrees towards the South will give you maximum energy production all year round.
As for environmental or local factors that could impede solar production here: Pittsboro does have its share of cloudy days which could lessen the amount of sunlight reaching your panels; however it's not so much as to make solar unviable by any means.
Also worth noting is that like anywhere else, dirt and debris on your panels can block some light too; so regular cleaning would help keep them operating efficiently!
Lastly, shading from nearby trees or buildings might also be something to consider when deciding where exactly to install your panels - ideally they should be placed somewhere with clear exposure to the sky for most part of the day.
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 Pittsboro
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.7697, Longitude: -79.177 (Pittsboro, 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 31° South in Pittsboro, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pittsboro, United States (Lat/Long 35.7697, -79.177) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Pittsboro, 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 Pittsboro, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 | 51° South in Winter | 28° 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 Pittsboro, 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 Pittsboro, 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 Pittsboro, United States
Pittsboro, United States is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The topography around Pittsboro is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys, with a mix of agricultural land, forests, and residential areas.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping lands are typically preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure. Agricultural lands can be suitable for solar PV if they are not actively used for crop production or grazing. Forested areas would need to be cleared before solar panels could be installed which might have environmental implications.
In terms of specific areas near Pittsboro that may be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Open farmlands on the outskirts of the town: There are several open fields and farmlands around Pittsboro which could potentially host large-scale solar farms without significant impact on residential areas.
2. Industrial zones: Industrial zones or brownfield sites can also serve as potential locations due to their proximity to existing power infrastructure and minimized environmental impact compared to greenfield sites.
3. Unused public lands: If there are any unused public lands nearby that aren't ecologically sensitive or being used for recreational purposes, these could also be considered.
It's important to note that while topography is a key factor in determining suitability for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning laws, proximity to power grids (for easy connection), sunlight exposure levels (south-facing slopes are ideal in the Northern Hemisphere), soil type (to support structures), access roads etc., should also be taken into account when planning a large scale Solar PV 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 18th of June 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.
