Rockingham, North Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's latitude and longitude (34.9347, -79.7672) provide a good balance of sunlight exposure across the seasons, making it a viable option for solar power installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Rockingham varies significantly across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 6.49 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.13 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output at 4.52 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.88 kWh/day per kW installed.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal times for solar energy production in Rockingham are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when days are longest and sunlight is most intense. Spring months (March to May) also offer excellent solar potential. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the region still receives enough sunlight to make year-round solar generation viable.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Rockingham, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle provides the best compromise between summer and winter sun positions, ensuring efficient energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Rockingham's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

• Occasional severe weather events, such as hurricanes or thunderstorms, which may cause temporary reductions in solar output
• High humidity levels during summer months, which can slightly reduce panel efficiency

To mitigate these factors, installers should ensure panels are securely mounted to withstand strong winds and use high-quality, weather-resistant equipment. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help combat any efficiency loss due to humidity or dust accumulation.

Overall, Rockingham's location provides a solid foundation for solar PV energy generation, with ample sunlight throughout the year and manageable environmental challenges.

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 Rockingham

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.9347, Longitude: -79.7672 (Rockingham, 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 Rockingham, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rockingham, United States (Lat/Long 34.9347, -79.7672) 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 Rockingham, 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 Rockingham, 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	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Rockingham, 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 Rockingham, 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 Rockingham, United States

The topography around Rockingham, North Carolina, located at latitude 34.9347 and longitude -79.7672, is characterized by gently rolling hills and a mix of forested and agricultural landscapes. This area is part of the Piedmont region, which lies between the coastal plains to the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the west. The terrain is generally mild, with subtle elevation changes and occasional small streams and creeks cutting through the landscape. Rockingham itself sits at an elevation of around 200 feet above sea level, with the surrounding areas varying slightly in height. The land is primarily composed of sandy loam soils, which are typical of this region. The Pee Dee River flows to the east of Rockingham, creating a wider, flatter floodplain in that direction.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain of the Piedmont region around Rockingham offers numerous potential sites for solar farms. Areas to the south and east of Rockingham are particularly promising due to their relatively flat topography and abundance of open land. Former agricultural fields or cleared areas that are no longer in active use would be ideal candidates for solar PV installations. These locations often provide the necessary space and have minimal shading from trees or other obstacles. Additionally, areas near existing power infrastructure, such as transmission lines or substations, would be advantageous for connecting the solar farms to the grid. The region between Rockingham and Hamlet, extending southward, contains several large, open spaces that could potentially accommodate solar arrays. Similarly, the areas to the southeast, towards Cheraw State Park in South Carolina, offer expansive, gently sloping terrain that could be suitable for solar development. It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the exact suitability of any particular location. Factors such as soil stability, drainage patterns, and proximity to sensitive ecosystems or residential areas would need to be carefully evaluated before proceeding with large-scale solar PV projects in the region.

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.