Solar PV Analysis of Southaven, United States
The location at Southaven, Mississippi, United States is fairly good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, it's not equally productive in all seasons.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - 6.38 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of solar installed in the summer and 5.84 kWh/day/kW in spring. This means that these are the ideal times of year to generate solar power at this location.
Autumn sees a drop with 4.53 kWh/day/kW expected but it’s still quite decent.
Winter is when production drops significantly with only about half as much electricity produced compared to summer or spring - just 2.68 kWh/day/kW.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, you should install them at an angle facing south and tilted by about 31 degrees from horizontal level; this position will maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system.
As far as environmental factors go that could hinder solar production here; Southaven does experience some cloudy weather which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days hence reducing potential output on those days. Additionally, there are occasional thunderstorms during certain months which could also limit sunlight exposure temporarily.
Preventative measures would include installing a tracking system so panels can follow the sun's path across the sky for maximum exposure rather than being fixed in one position all day long; however this would increase installation costs substantially so may not be worthwhile unless cloud cover is particularly heavy and frequent over extended periods each year here.
Another measure would be regular cleaning and maintenance of your panels to ensure they're always working optimally – dust or debris can block sunlight from reaching them properly thus reducing their efficiency if not cleaned off regularly enough due to local conditions such as wind-blown dust etc.
Lastly while winter has lower output rates, it's still worth noting that even in winter, solar panels can produce electricity – they just do so at a lower rate because the sun is not as high in the sky and there are fewer daylight hours. So don't be discouraged from installing solar PV if you're considering it for this location - just bear these factors in mind when planning your installation and usage expectations.
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 Southaven
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.9722, Longitude: -89.9909 (Southaven, 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 31° South in Southaven, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Southaven, United States (Lat/Long 34.9722, -89.9909) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Southaven, 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 Southaven, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 28° 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 Southaven, 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 Southaven, 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 Southaven, United States
Southaven is located in the northern part of Mississippi, United States. The topography around Southaven is relatively flat with slight undulations, which is typical for most parts of Mississippi. This region experiences a humid subtropical climate with long summers and short, mild winters.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, areas with abundant sunlight throughout the year and flat or gently sloping lands are ideal. Given this criterion, several nearby areas would be suitable:
1) Agricultural Lands: There are vast agricultural lands near Southaven that can be utilized for solar PV installations without much alteration to the landscape.
2) Industrial Zones: There are also industrial zones in and around Southaven where rooftops can potentially accommodate solar panels.
3) Unused Land: Any unused or underutilized land within or near city limits can also be considered for setting up a large-scale solar power plant.
4) Near Highways: Areas along highways like I-55 and I-69 could also serve as potential locations for installing large scale solar projects due to easy accessibility.
However, it's essential to conduct a detailed feasibility study considering various factors such as sun exposure (solar insolation), land use restrictions, environmental impact assessment before deciding on specific sites.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 15th of April 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.
