Saint Augustine, Florida, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 29.9149 and longitude -81.3672 provides ample sunlight for photovoltaic (PV) systems to produce electricity efficiently.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Saint Augustine varies across seasons, with spring and summer being the most productive periods. In spring, solar panels can generate an impressive 6.49 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer follows closely, with 5.60 kWh/day. Autumn sees a slight decrease to 4.65 kWh/day, while winter produces the least at 3.75 kWh/day per kilowatt of installed solar.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed panel installations in Saint Augustine, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 27 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Saint Augustine's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms during the summer months, which can temporarily reduce solar output. Additionally, the coastal location means there's a risk of salt air corrosion and potential damage from hurricanes.

To mitigate these issues, installers should use corrosion-resistant materials and ensure proper sealing of all electrical components. Hurricane-resistant mounting systems are also recommended to protect the panels during severe weather events. Regular cleaning of the panels can help maintain efficiency by removing salt deposits and other debris.

Conclusion

Overall, Saint Augustine's location is highly favorable for solar PV energy generation. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar panels can provide significant energy output throughout the year, with peak performance during the spring and summer months.

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 Saint Augustine

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 29.9149, Longitude: -81.3672 (Saint Augustine, 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 27° South in Saint Augustine, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint Augustine, United States (Lat/Long 29.9149, -81.3672) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
14° South in Summer	35° South in Autumn	45° South in Winter	23° 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 Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine, United States

Saint Augustine, located on the northeastern coast of Florida, is characterized by a relatively flat topography typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The area surrounding the city is predominantly low-lying, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 20 feet above sea level. This flat landscape is punctuated by gentle slopes and subtle undulations, creating a mostly level terrain. The coastline near Saint Augustine features long stretches of sandy beaches and barrier islands, separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway. This waterway system includes various rivers, creeks, and lagoons, such as the Matanzas River and Tolomato River, which contribute to the area's diverse coastal ecosystem. Inland from the coast, the topography gradually transitions to slightly higher elevations, with some areas reaching up to 30-40 feet above sea level. These slightly elevated regions often consist of ancient sand dunes and ridges that have become stabilized over time. The landscape is dotted with numerous freshwater ponds, small lakes, and wetlands, which are common features in this part of Florida.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Saint Augustine for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat, open spaces with minimal shading and good access to existing infrastructure. Based on these criteria, the following areas near Saint Augustine could be suitable for solar PV development: Agricultural lands to the west and southwest of the city offer expansive, open areas with minimal topographic variation. These regions, which extend into neighboring counties, provide ample space for large-scale solar installations without significant natural obstacles. Former timberlands or cleared forest areas in the surrounding counties might also present opportunities for solar development. These locations often have the advantage of being relatively level and already cleared of dense vegetation. Abandoned or underutilized industrial sites in the greater Saint Augustine area could be repurposed for solar energy production. These brownfield sites typically have existing infrastructure connections and are already zoned for industrial use, which can simplify the development process. It's important to note that while the topography around Saint Augustine is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid connection capabilities would need to be carefully evaluated for any specific project. Additionally, the proximity to the coast means that potential sites should be assessed for their resilience to severe weather events, particularly hurricanes, which could impact the long-term viability of large-scale solar installations in this 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.