Solar Energy Potential in Supply, North Carolina

Supply, North Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.0177, -78.2675, offers promising conditions for solar power generation throughout the year, though with significant seasonal variations. The energy output from solar PV systems in Supply follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer is the most productive season, generating approximately 6.43kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.08kWh/day per kW. Production decreases in autumn to 4.47kWh/day and reaches its lowest point in winter at 2.84kWh/day per kW of installed solar. For residents or businesses considering solar installations in Supply, this means that approximately 65% of annual energy production occurs during spring and summer months (March through August), making this the ideal period for solar generation. The substantial drop in winter production suggests that supplementary power sources might be beneficial during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Supply, the ideal tilt angle is 30 degrees facing South. This specific angle maximizes year-round energy production by optimizing the capture of solar radiation across all seasons. While adjustable systems could theoretically capture more energy by changing angles seasonally, the 30-degree fixed tilt represents the best compromise for consistent annual production.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors in Supply could affect solar production:

• Hurricane exposure: Supply's coastal proximity in North Carolina makes it vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes, which can damage solar installations. Reinforced mounting systems and panels rated for high wind loads are recommended.
• High humidity and salt exposure: The area's coastal location means solar equipment faces accelerated corrosion risks. Marine-grade components and protective coatings can mitigate these issues.
• Seasonal tree shading: Deciduous trees may cause variable shading throughout the year. Strategic panel placement or selective tree trimming can minimize this impact.

Regular maintenance is particularly important in this region. Cleaning panels quarterly to remove pollen (especially in spring) and salt deposits will help maintain optimal production levels. Additionally, installing microinverters or power optimizers can reduce the impact of partial shading on overall system performance. Despite these challenges, Supply's location receives sufficient solar radiation to make photovoltaic systems economically viable for most residential and commercial applications, especially when properly designed to address local environmental conditions.

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 Supply

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0177, Longitude: -78.2675 (Supply, 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 Supply, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Supply, United States (Lat/Long 34.0177, -78.2675) 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 Supply, 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 Supply, 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	26° 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 Supply, 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 Supply, 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 Supply, United States

The topography around Supply, North Carolina, is characterized by its low-lying coastal plain terrain. Located in Brunswick County in the southeastern part of the state, Supply sits in an area with minimal elevation changes, typically ranging between just 20 to 40 feet above sea level. This relatively flat landscape is part of the broader Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic region, which extends along much of the eastern seaboard of the United States. The area features a mix of sandy soils, wetlands, and pine forests typical of coastal North Carolina. Supply is positioned approximately 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, with the Intracoastal Waterway and barrier islands like Oak Island and Holden Beach lying to its east and southeast. Several creeks and small waterways meander through the region, eventually draining into the Atlantic Ocean.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development, several nearby areas present favorable conditions based on topographic considerations. The flat, cleared agricultural lands that surround Supply offer prime potential for solar farm development. These areas provide the necessary level terrain that minimizes site preparation costs and engineering challenges. Particularly promising are the open fields and former farmlands to the north and northwest of Supply, extending toward the communities of Bolivia and Northwest. These locations combine favorable topography with sufficient distance from coastal flooding concerns. The land in these directions tends to be slightly higher in elevation while maintaining the flat character ideal for solar array installation. The areas west of Supply toward the Green Swamp also contain patches of cleared land that could accommodate solar developments. However, developers would need to avoid the protected natural areas and wetlands that are interspersed throughout this region. Another consideration is the abundance of timber land in the region. Some parcels that have been recently harvested for timber present opportunities for solar development, as they are already cleared and often have good solar exposure. These areas are scattered throughout Brunswick County, with concentrations to the west and northwest of Supply. The immediate coastal areas east of Supply, while flat, face challenges from potential flooding, salt spray, and higher land costs due to tourism development pressure. Additionally, these areas may have more stringent development restrictions due to coastal zone management regulations. From a purely topographical perspective, the optimal areas for large-scale solar PV development near Supply would be the inland agricultural and timber lands to the north, northwest, and west, where the terrain remains flat but slightly elevated from the coastal plain, offering good drainage and minimal risk of coastal flooding events.

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.