Shannon, Mississippi, 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 (34.1162, -88.7117) contribute to its potential for harnessing solar energy, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Shannon experiences significant fluctuations across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive average daily output of 6.12 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.84 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.48 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, presents the lowest output at 2.71 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal times for solar energy production in Shannon are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when days are longest and sunlight is most intense. Spring (March to May) also offers excellent conditions for solar generation. While autumn (September to November) provides moderate solar potential, it's still considerably effective. Winter (December to February) is the least productive season, but solar panels can still generate a useful amount of energy during this period.

Panel Installation Considerations

For maximum year-round solar energy production in Shannon, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 30 degrees facing South. This optimal angle has been calculated to balance the varying solar elevations throughout the year, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Shannon's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

1. Humidity: The region's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, which may slightly reduce panel efficiency.
2. Storms: Occasional severe thunderstorms and the rare possibility of tornadoes could pose a risk to solar installations.

To mitigate these factors, consider using humidity-resistant solar panels and ensuring robust mounting systems that can withstand strong winds. Regular cleaning of panels to remove any dust or pollen accumulation is also recommended to maintain optimal performance.

Overall, Shannon, Mississippi provides a suitable location for solar PV installations, with the potential for significant energy generation, especially during the spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar energy can be a reliable and efficient power source in this area 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 Shannon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.1162, Longitude: -88.7117 (Shannon, 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 30° South in Shannon, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shannon, United States (Lat/Long 34.1162, -88.7117) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Shannon, 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 Shannon, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° South in Summer	39° 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 Shannon, 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 Shannon, 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 Shannon, United States

The area around Shannon, United States, located at coordinates 34.1162 latitude and -88.7117 longitude, is characterized by a gently rolling landscape typical of northeastern Mississippi. This region is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain, which features a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and flat areas. The topography is generally mild, with elevations ranging from about 250 to 400 feet above sea level. The terrain surrounding Shannon is primarily composed of softly undulating hills interspersed with small streams and creeks. These waterways have carved shallow valleys over time, creating a subtle patchwork of higher and lower ground. The area also includes some flatter sections, particularly along the floodplains of larger streams and rivers. Forests cover a significant portion of the land, with a mix of deciduous and pine trees dominating the landscape. These wooded areas are interspersed with cleared lands used for agriculture, pastures, and residential development. The combination of gentle slopes and open spaces creates a diverse and picturesque setting.

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 ideal locations for solar farms in this region would be: Flat or gently sloping terrain: Areas with minimal elevation changes are preferable for solar installations, as they require less land preparation and are easier to develop. The flatter sections of land, particularly those currently used for agriculture or grazing, would be well-suited for this purpose. South-facing slopes: While the topography is generally mild, any areas with slight south-facing slopes would be advantageous for solar PV, as they naturally maximize exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Open spaces: Large, unobstructed areas free from tall vegetation or structures are ideal for solar farms. Fields and pastures that are already cleared of trees would be prime candidates for solar development. Proximity to existing infrastructure: Areas close to power lines and substations would be more suitable, as they reduce the cost and complexity of connecting the solar farm to the electrical grid. Low flood risk: Higher ground away from floodplains and major waterways would be preferable to minimize the risk of flooding and potential damage to solar equipment. Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Shannon would likely be found on the higher ground between water courses, where there are expansive open fields or pastures with minimal tree cover. These locations would offer the best combination of favorable topography, sun exposure, and development potential for solar energy projects in the 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.