Ridgeland, Mississippi, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 32.4147, -90.1208, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with significant seasonal variations.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Ridgeland follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating approximately 6.51kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.71kWh/day, while autumn produces 4.62kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest output at just 2.77kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern creates a nearly 2.5-fold difference between the best and worst seasons, with summer production being about 135% higher than winter. This seasonal variation is important to consider when planning a solar installation in this area.

Optimal Installation Setup

For fixed panel installations in Ridgeland, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 28 degrees tilted toward the South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the changing seasons, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

Several environmental factors in Ridgeland may impact solar production:

• High humidity levels, particularly during summer months, can reduce panel efficiency by up to 10-15%
• Frequent thunderstorms from late spring through summer may temporarily reduce production
• Hurricane season (June-November) poses potential risks of severe weather and system damage
• Tree coverage in the heavily wooded areas of Ridgeland can create shading issues

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should include proper lightning protection systems, sturdy mounting hardware rated for high winds, and regular panel cleaning to remove pollen and dust that accumulate in this humid environment. Additionally, careful site selection or tree trimming may be necessary to minimize shading throughout the day.

Despite these challenges, Ridgeland's annual solar production potential makes it a viable location for solar PV installations, especially when systems are properly designed to account for the local conditions and seasonal variations.

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 Ridgeland

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.4147, Longitude: -90.1208 (Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ridgeland, United States (Lat/Long 32.4147, -90.1208) 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 Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, 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	37° South in Autumn	48° 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 Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, United States

The landscape surrounding Ridgeland, Mississippi reveals a gentle topography characteristic of the transitional zone between the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and the Gulf Coastal Plain. Ridgeland itself sits at an elevation of approximately 330-360 feet above sea level, with subtle variations in the terrain throughout the area. The city's name aptly describes its position along a modest ridge that runs north-south through this region of Mississippi. To the east of Ridgeland lies the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a significant water feature that introduces some topographical variation to the area. The reservoir's shoreline creates natural contours and slopes that break up the otherwise modest relief of the region. Moving westward from Ridgeland, the land gradually descends toward the Mississippi River and its floodplain, where elevations drop more noticeably.

Soil and Surface Characteristics

The soils around Ridgeland typically consist of a mix of loess (wind-deposited silt) and alluvial deposits. These soils generally drain well on the higher ground but can retain moisture in the lower-lying areas. The surface features include scattered woodlands, particularly along waterways, interspersed with open areas that have been developed for agriculture, residential, and commercial purposes.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the areas most suitable near Ridgeland would be the gently sloping, south-facing clearings that receive minimal shading throughout the day. Specifically, the rural areas to the northeast and east of Ridgeland, extending toward Madison County, offer promising terrain for solar development. These locations provide relatively flat to gently rolling landscapes that would require minimal grading while offering good drainage—an important consideration for infrastructure durability. The agricultural lands north of Ridgeland also present opportunities for solar development. These areas typically feature cleared fields with established access roads and relatively level terrain, reducing the initial site preparation costs. The slightly elevated position of these northern areas helps minimize concerns about flooding, which can be important for long-term installation stability. Areas to potentially avoid would include the immediate vicinity of the Ross Barnett Reservoir due to higher land values, recreational usage, and potential morning fog patterns that might temporarily reduce solar efficiency. Similarly, the more densely wooded areas southeast of Ridgeland would require significant clearing, increasing both environmental impact and development costs. The western approach toward the Mississippi River floodplain, while flatter, may present concerns regarding seasonal flooding and higher water tables, which could complicate construction and maintenance of large solar arrays. However, some of the higher terraces in this direction, if available, could still be suitable with proper engineering considerations. Overall, the modest topographical relief around Ridgeland generally works in favor of solar development, as it presents fewer challenges for construction while still offering adequate drainage. The primary considerations for site selection would relate more to existing land use, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and local zoning regulations rather than major topographical constraints.

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.