Solar PV Analysis of Rockwall, United States
The location of Rockwall, Texas, in the United States, offers a promising opportunity for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, this area receives a substantial amount of sunlight, making it suitable for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy production in Rockwall varies across the seasons. Summer is the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.86 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.34 kWh/day, while autumn produces 4.96 kWh/day. Winter sees the lowest output at 3.06 kWh/day, but still contributes significantly to the overall annual production.
The most ideal times for solar generation in Rockwall are from late spring through early fall, when days are longer and sunlight is more intense. However, the relatively high output during other seasons indicates that solar PV systems can be effective year-round in this location.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Rockwall, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 29 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude and longitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Rockwall's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Occasional severe weather events, such as thunderstorms and hail, which are common in Texas.
- Dust and pollen accumulation on panels, particularly during dry seasons.
To mitigate these factors, consider installing hail-resistant panels and implementing a regular cleaning schedule for the solar array. Additionally, using microinverters or power optimizers can help maintain overall system performance even if individual panels are temporarily affected by shading or debris.
In conclusion, Rockwall, Texas, presents a highly suitable location for solar PV installations, with strong potential for energy generation throughout the year. By optimizing panel placement and addressing potential environmental challenges, residents and businesses in this area can effectively harness solar power to meet their energy needs.
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 Rockwall
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.89, Longitude: -96.4244 (Rockwall, 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 29° South in Rockwall, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rockwall, United States (Lat/Long 32.89, -96.4244) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Rockwall, 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 Rockwall, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 48° 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 Rockwall, 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 Rockwall, 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 Rockwall, United States
The area around Rockwall, Texas is characterized by gently rolling hills and prairies typical of the Blackland Prairie region. The terrain is relatively flat to slightly undulating, with elevations ranging from about 400 to 600 feet above sea level. The landscape features a mix of open grasslands, scattered woodlands, and numerous small streams and creeks.
To the east of Rockwall lies Lake Ray Hubbard, a large reservoir that significantly impacts the local topography. The shoreline of the lake creates a more varied landscape with some steeper slopes and bluffs near the water's edge. West of Rockwall, the land gradually becomes more urbanized as it approaches the Dallas metropolitan area.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas would be found in the open, flat to gently sloping farmlands and prairies surrounding Rockwall. Particularly promising locations include:
- The rural areas to the northeast and east of Rockwall, between the city and Lake Ray Hubbard
- The open fields and pastures south of Rockwall, extending towards Terrell
- The relatively flat agricultural lands to the north and northwest of Rockwall, in the direction of Fate and Royse City
These areas offer expansive, unobstructed spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings, making them ideal for solar panel placement. The gentle slopes in these locations also provide good drainage and the potential for optimal panel orientation towards the sun.
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: Monday 22nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
