Saint Johns, Florida, 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 (30.0822, -81.5498) contribute to its potential for harnessing solar energy effectively.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Saint Johns varies across seasons, with spring and summer being the most productive periods. Spring yields the highest output at 6.42 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity, followed closely by summer at 5.83 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.66 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.43 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between winter and spring/summer production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this area. However, even during the least productive season, the output remains significant enough to contribute meaningfully to energy needs.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Saint Johns, 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 Johns generally provides a conducive environment for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

1. Hurricane season: Florida's vulnerability to hurricanes from June to November poses a risk to solar installations. Robust mounting systems and impact-resistant panels are crucial.
2. High humidity: The area's humidity can lead to moisture accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
3. Occasional cloudy days: While generally sunny, Saint Johns does experience cloudy periods. Installing microinverters or power optimizers can help maintain efficiency during partial shading.

Despite these challenges, Saint Johns remains an excellent location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and preventative measures, the area's abundant sunshine can be effectively harnessed for sustainable energy production year-round.

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 Johns

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.0822, Longitude: -81.5498 (Saint Johns, 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 Johns, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint Johns, United States (Lat/Long 30.0822, -81.5498) 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 Johns, 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 Johns, 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 Johns, 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 Johns, 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 Johns, United States

The topography around Saint Johns, Florida, located at coordinates 30.0822°N, 81.5498°W, is characterized by its low-lying, flat terrain typical of northeastern Florida. This area is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a region known for its gently sloping landscape that extends from the coastline inland. The elevation in and around Saint Johns is generally low, with most areas sitting just a few meters above sea level. The landscape is dotted with numerous water features, including the expansive St. Johns River to the west, various creeks, and small lakes or ponds. These bodies of water contribute to the area's overall flat appearance and influence the local ecosystem. The soil in this region is predominantly sandy, a remnant of ancient shorelines and marine deposits. Vegetation in the area consists of a mix of pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and wetland areas. These natural features create a mosaic of slightly elevated dry areas interspersed with lower, wetter zones. The flat terrain and abundance of water have historically made parts of this region prone to flooding during heavy rains or storm surges.

Suitability 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 flat terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar farms, as it reduces the need for extensive land grading and simplifies installation processes. Areas to the west and southwest of Saint Johns, moving slightly inland from the coast, might offer the best potential for large-scale solar PV projects. These locations tend to have larger tracts of open land that are not as prone to flooding as areas closer to the coast or major waterways. The slightly higher elevation in these inland areas could provide better protection against potential sea-level rise and storm surges. It's important to note that while the topography is suitable, other factors such as land availability, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated. Areas that are not designated as wetlands or protected habitats would be preferable to minimize ecological impact. Additionally, locations away from residential developments and with good access to major roads would be advantageous for the construction and maintenance of large-scale solar installations. The abundant sunshine in Florida makes the entire region potentially viable for solar energy production, but careful site selection considering all these factors would be crucial for optimal large-scale solar PV development near Saint Johns.

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.