Solar PV Analysis of Rock Island, United States
Rock Island, Tennessee, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The site's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.32 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.68 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 4.19 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.59 kWh/day.
This seasonal variation indicates that Rock Island's solar potential is strongest from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production. However, the substantial drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during the colder months.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 31 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Rock Island generally provides suitable conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact system performance:
- Seasonal weather patterns: The region may experience periods of cloudy or stormy weather, particularly during spring and fall, which could temporarily reduce solar output.
- Tree cover: Depending on the specific installation site, surrounding vegetation might cast shadows on solar panels, especially during winter when the sun's path is lower in the sky.
To mitigate these challenges, careful site selection is crucial. Choosing an open area with minimal shading from trees or structures can significantly improve energy production. Additionally, regular panel maintenance, including cleaning and debris removal, can help ensure optimal performance year-round.
Overall, while Rock Island may not offer ideal conditions for solar energy production throughout the entire year, it still presents a viable opportunity for renewable energy generation, particularly during the warmer months. With proper planning and installation, solar PV systems can contribute significantly to meeting local energy needs in this Tennessee location.
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 Rock Island
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.7649, Longitude: -85.6813 (Rock Island, 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 Rock Island, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rock Island, United States (Lat/Long 35.7649, -85.6813) 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 Rock Island, 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 Rock Island, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° 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 Rock Island, 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 Rock Island, 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 Rock Island, United States
The area around Rock Island, Tennessee, located at 35.7649°N and 85.6813°W, is characterized by a diverse and interesting topography. This region is part of the eastern Highland Rim, which is a transitional zone between the Cumberland Plateau to the east and the Nashville Basin to the west.
The landscape around Rock Island features gently rolling hills and plateaus, interspersed with valleys and river gorges. The elevation in this area typically ranges from about 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The terrain is dotted with numerous streams and rivers, including the Caney Fork River, which flows through Rock Island State Park.
The topography is primarily the result of long-term erosion of limestone and other sedimentary rocks. This process has created a mix of flat-topped ridges, steep slopes, and fertile valley bottoms. The area also contains numerous caves and sinkholes, which are common features in regions with underlying limestone bedrock.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the gently rolling hills and plateaus in the vicinity of Rock Island offer several potential locations. Ideal sites for solar farms would be relatively flat areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or other obstructions.
Some of the more promising areas for solar PV development might include:
- The open farmlands and pastures to the west and northwest of Rock Island, where the terrain tends to be flatter and more expansive.
- Cleared areas on the tops of some of the broader ridges and plateaus, which would provide excellent sun exposure throughout the day.
- Reclaimed mining sites or other previously disturbed lands in the region, which could be repurposed for solar energy production.
It's important to note that while the topography around Rock Island offers some suitable locations for solar PV, developers would need to conduct detailed site assessments to determine the most optimal locations. Factors such as land ownership, proximity to power infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in selecting sites for large-scale solar projects in this area.
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 6th 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.
