Solar PV Analysis of Swannanoa, United States
Swannanoa, North Carolina is a decent location for year-round solar energy production. The amount of electricity that can be generated from solar power changes with the seasons. In the summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels can produce about 6.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This drops to around 4.41 kWh/day in autumn and 2.88 kWh/day in winter, then rises again to approximately 5.80 kWh/day in spring.
This means that you'll get the most energy from your solar panels during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available, while autumn and especially winter will yield less power due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To maximize the total amount of electricity produced throughout the year at this location, it’s recommended to tilt your fixed panel installation towards south at an angle of 31 degrees.
However, local factors could potentially impact solar production here as well - such as weather conditions including cloud cover or fog which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days; environmental factors like trees or buildings casting shadows over the panels; or even dust or snow accumulation on panels reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these potential issues:
1) Ensure that your installation site is free from shading by nearby structures or vegetation - if necessary trim back any obstructing branches.
2) Install a system for cleaning off dust or debris regularly – this could be as simple as occasionally rinsing them with water.
3) Consider incorporating a system for removing snow during winter months if heavy snowfall is common in this area – this might involve manual removal using a soft brush or installing automatic heating elements designed specifically for melting off snow without damaging the panels.
In summary: Swannanoa offers reasonable potential for generating electricity through solar PV across different seasons with maximum output expected during summer followed by springtime but also requires some considerations regarding local factors like weather conditions and shading to ensure optimal performance.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Swannanoa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6179, Longitude: -82.4026 (Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Swannanoa, United States (Lat/Long 35.6179, -82.4026) 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 Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, 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 | 41° South in Autumn | 51° 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 Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, United States
Swannanoa, United States is located in the state of North Carolina. The topography around Swannanoa is characterized by a mountainous terrain as it lies within the Blue Ridge Mountains part of the Appalachian Mountain range. This area has valleys, hills and mountains with lush vegetation.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping lands are preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. Therefore, considering Swannanoa's mountainous terrain, it may not be the most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, nearby areas with flatter terrains could potentially be more suitable for such projects. Asheville Regional Airport area towards the west could be an option due to its relatively flat contour compared to surrounding areas. Other possible sites might include regions towards east near Black Mountain where there seems to be some flatter land available.
It should also be noted that factors beyond just topography need consideration when planning large-scale solar PV installations - these can include local climate (amount of sun), land use restrictions and proximity to transmission lines among others.
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: Thursday 4th 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.
