Solar PV Analysis of Greenville, Texas, United States
Greenville, Texas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 33.1033, -96.0945, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, providing opportunities for consistent energy production with some seasonal fluctuations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Greenville, with an impressive average daily output of 6.88 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.29 kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.93 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest solar potential, producing 3.04 kWh/day, which is still a reasonable output for the cooler months.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Greenville, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 29 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Ideal Generation Periods
The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Greenville are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring and early autumn also offer excellent conditions for solar production, with moderate temperatures and ample sunshine.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Greenville's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Occasional severe thunderstorms and hail, which may cause physical damage to panels
- Brief periods of high humidity and cloud cover, particularly during spring and early summer
To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Greenville should incorporate high-quality, hail-resistant panels and robust mounting systems. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance can help ensure optimal performance by removing any dust or debris that may accumulate on the panels.
Overall, Greenville, Texas, presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential throughout most of the year and manageable challenges that can be addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.
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 Greenville, Texas
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.1033, Longitude: -96.0945 (Greenville, Texas, 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 Greenville, Texas, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greenville, Texas, United States (Lat/Long 33.1033, -96.0945) 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 Greenville, Texas, 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 Greenville, Texas, 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 | 49° 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 Greenville, Texas, 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 Greenville, Texas, 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 Greenville, Texas, United States
The topography around Greenville, United States (located at 33.1033 latitude, -96.0945 longitude) is generally characterized by gently rolling plains and prairies. This area is part of the larger North Central Texas region, which is known for its relatively flat terrain with occasional low hills and shallow valleys.
The landscape surrounding Greenville features a mix of open grasslands, scattered woodlands, and agricultural fields. The elevation in this area typically ranges from about 500 to 600 feet above sea level, with only minor variations across the region. The terrain is slightly more undulating to the east of Greenville, where the land begins to transition into the more forested areas of East Texas.
Several small creeks and streams crisscross the area, contributing to the gentle contours of the land. The South Sulphur River flows to the north of Greenville, creating a shallow river valley that adds some variation to the otherwise predominantly flat landscape.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Greenville, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would typically have the following characteristics:
- Open, flat terrain with minimal shading from trees or structures
- Good access to existing power infrastructure
- Proximity to roads for ease of construction and maintenance
- Land that is not prime agricultural or ecologically sensitive
Given these criteria, the areas most suited for large-scale solar PV near Greenville would likely be:
1. The open farmlands to the south and southwest of Greenville: These areas offer expansive, flat terrain with few obstructions, making them ideal for solar panel installation. The existing agricultural use suggests that the land is already developed and may have nearby infrastructure.
2. The prairies to the west and northwest of Greenville: These open grasslands provide ample space and favorable topography for solar farms. The relatively sparse population in these areas could minimize potential conflicts with residential development.
3. Reclaimed or unused industrial sites: If any exist in the vicinity of Greenville, these could be repurposed for solar energy production, taking advantage of existing infrastructure and minimizing new land use.
It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as local zoning laws, environmental regulations, and grid connection capacity would need to be thoroughly assessed before implementing any large-scale solar PV projects.
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: Thursday 5th of September 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.
