Solar PV Analysis of Suwanee, United States
The location at Suwanee, Georgia, United States is fairly good for generating solar energy all year round. However, the amount of electricity that can be produced varies with each season.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - 6.26 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.84 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. These are ideal times to generate solar at this location due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
In autumn, the output drops slightly to about 4.42 kWh/day per kW because the days are shorter and the sun isn't as strong.
Winter sees a further drop in production down to about 2.74 kWh/day per kW due to even shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To maximize your total yearly production from solar panels at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 30 degrees facing South if they're fixed installations (i.e., not able to move or track the sun). This angle takes into account the position of the sun throughout different times of year so as best capture its light overall.
As far as local factors go that could affect solar production:
1) Weather: Suwanee experiences some cloudy weather which could reduce solar panel efficiency on those days.
2) Trees or buildings: If there are any tall structures or trees around your property they may cast shadows onto your panels reducing their effectiveness.
3) Dust & debris: Over time dust and other particles can accumulate on your panels which may block sunlight leading them less efficient.
Preventative measures include:
1) Site selection: Choose a site with minimal shading from nearby structures or trees.
2) Regular cleaning: Keep your panels clean by regularly removing dust or debris build-up.
3) Consider installing tracking systems: These systems allow your panels follow the movement of the sun throughout the day, maximizing their exposure to sunlight. However, these systems can be expensive and may not be necessary for all installations.
Overall, Suwanee is a pretty good place for solar energy production with its high summer and spring outputs being particularly beneficial.
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 Suwanee
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0409, Longitude: -84.0237 (Suwanee, 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 Suwanee, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Suwanee, United States (Lat/Long 34.0409, -84.0237) 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 Suwanee, 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 Suwanee, 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 Suwanee, 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 Suwanee, 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 Suwanee, United States
Suwanee, United States is located in the state of Georgia. The topography around Suwanee is primarily flat to gently rolling hills. It's part of the Piedmont Plateau, which covers most of northern and central Georgia.
Considering solar PV (Photovoltaic), areas with high levels of solar irradiance and relatively flat terrains are ideal for large-scale installations. In general, southern-facing slopes are preferred as they receive the most sunlight throughout the year.
In terms of specific locations near Suwanee that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Open fields or agricultural lands: These areas typically have few obstructions to sunlight such as trees or buildings, making them ideal for solar panel installation.
2. Industrial zones: Large rooftops or unused land in industrial zones can also be a good choice for installing solar panels.
3. Unused public lands: If there are any unused public lands around Suwanee that aren't earmarked for other purposes, these could potentially be used for large-scale solar installations.
It's important to note that while these physical characteristics make an area well-suited to hosting a solar farm, many other factors must also be considered before developing a project like this - including local regulations and ordinances related to renewable energy projects, proximity to power grids and substations (for ease of connection), potential environmental impacts, etc.
Lastly but importantly, it would still require detailed feasibility study by professionals before deciding on setting up largescale Solar PVs anywhere nearby Suwanee considering all above mentioned aspects along with economic viability too.
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: Tuesday 2nd of July 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.
