Solar PV Analysis of Savannah, United States
Savannah, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 31.9948, -81.2335, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies across seasons, with notable peaks and troughs in energy output.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Spring emerges as the most productive season for solar energy in Savannah, with an impressive average daily output of 6.44kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely behind, generating 6.01kWh/day. These seasons benefit from longer daylight hours and typically clearer skies, maximizing solar panel efficiency.
Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, averaging 4.68kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 3.23kWh/day, primarily due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky. Despite this seasonal dip, Savannah's winter solar production remains relatively robust compared to many other U.S. locations.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Savannah, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 28 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying solar elevations across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Savannah's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Hurricanes and tropical storms: Savannah's coastal location makes it vulnerable to these weather events, which could potentially damage solar installations.
- High humidity: The area's humid subtropical climate may lead to increased dust and pollen accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these environmental challenges, consider implementing the following measures when installing solar PV systems in Savannah:
Use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and high-quality, durable panels to withstand strong winds and potential debris. Install panels at a slight angle to facilitate natural cleaning by rainwater, reducing the impact of dust and pollen accumulation. Regular maintenance and cleaning schedules can also help maintain optimal performance.
Overall, Savannah's location provides a favorable setting for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential throughout the year and particularly high output during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar power can be a reliable and efficient energy source in this Georgia city.
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 Savannah
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.9948, Longitude: -81.2335 (Savannah, 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 28° South in Savannah, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Savannah, United States (Lat/Long 31.9948, -81.2335) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Savannah, 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 Savannah, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 47° South in Winter | 25° 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 Savannah, 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 Savannah, 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 Savannah, United States
The topography around Savannah, Georgia, in the southeastern United States, is characterized by a relatively flat coastal plain. This area is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which extends along much of the eastern seaboard. The landscape is generally low-lying, with elevations typically ranging from sea level to about 20-30 feet above sea level.
The immediate vicinity of Savannah features a mix of wetlands, marshes, and tidal creeks interspersed with slightly higher ground. As you move inland from the coast, the terrain gradually becomes more elevated, but remains predominantly flat or gently rolling. The Savannah River, which forms the border between Georgia and South Carolina, has carved a shallow valley through this landscape.
The region's topography is influenced by its geological history, with sedimentary deposits from ancient seas creating the flat, sandy soils characteristic of the area. Small islands, known as sea islands or barrier islands, dot the coastline, providing some variation to the otherwise level terrain.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the regions slightly inland from Savannah would likely be most appropriate. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
1. The terrain is generally flat, which simplifies construction and allows for optimal positioning of solar panels without the need for extensive grading.
2. As you move away from the immediate coast, there are larger tracts of open land that could accommodate expansive solar farms.
3. The inland areas are less prone to flooding and storm surge compared to coastal locations, reducing the risk of damage to solar infrastructure.
4. These regions often have agricultural or undeveloped land that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production.
Specific areas that might be suitable include the rural lands west and southwest of Savannah, such as parts of Effingham, Bryan, and Liberty counties. These locations offer a good balance of flat terrain, available land, and proximity to existing power infrastructure, while being far enough inland to mitigate some coastal weather risks.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site-specific assessments, considering factors such as local zoning laws, environmental impacts, and grid connection capabilities, in addition to the general topographical suitability.
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: Sunday 18th of August 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.
