Hollywood, Maryland, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 38.3545, -76.5664, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.67 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.91 kWh per day per kW, providing nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline to 4.01 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging period with only 2.44 kWh per day per kW. This winter output represents just over one-third of the summer production, highlighting the significant seasonal challenge for year-round solar reliability at this location.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Hollywood, Maryland, the ideal tilt angle to maximize total year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year, determining optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles based on actual solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors can significantly impact solar production in Hollywood, Maryland:

• Coastal humidity and salt air: Being located near the Chesapeake Bay, the area experiences high humidity and salt-laden air that can cause corrosion and reduce panel efficiency over time
• Frequent storms and hurricanes: The Mid-Atlantic coastal location makes the area susceptible to severe weather events, particularly during late summer and fall
• Snow and ice accumulation: Winter weather can cause snow and ice buildup on panels, blocking sunlight and reducing the already limited winter output
• Tree coverage and shading: The heavily forested nature of Southern Maryland can create shading issues, particularly problematic given the lower sun angles in winter

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help mitigate these challenges:

• Marine-grade equipment: Use solar panels and mounting systems specifically rated for coastal environments with enhanced corrosion resistance
• Proper drainage design: Install panels with adequate spacing and drainage to prevent water pooling and ice formation
• Strategic positioning: Carefully site installations to minimize shading from trees, especially considering the sun's lower winter path
• Reinforced mounting: Use heavy-duty mounting systems designed to withstand high winds and storm conditions typical of the region
• Regular maintenance scheduling: Plan for increased cleaning and maintenance, particularly after storms and during winter months when debris and snow accumulation are most likely

Overall Assessment

Hollywood, Maryland offers decent solar potential during the warmer months but faces significant challenges during winter. The location's coastal environment requires careful equipment selection and installation planning to achieve optimal long-term performance. While not ideal for year-round solar generation due to the dramatic seasonal variations, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar installations viable, particularly when sized to account for the reduced winter output.

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 Hollywood, Maryland

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.3545, Longitude: -76.5664 (Hollywood, Maryland, 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 33° South in Hollywood, Maryland, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hollywood, Maryland, United States (Lat/Long 38.3545, -76.5664) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Hollywood, Maryland, 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 Hollywood, Maryland, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	31° 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 Hollywood, Maryland, 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 Hollywood, Maryland, 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 Hollywood, Maryland, United States

Topographical Features of Hollywood, Maryland

Hollywood, Maryland sits in the heart of St. Mary's County on the state's Western Shore, positioned along the coastal plain that characterizes much of the Chesapeake Bay region. The terrain around this community is predominantly flat to gently rolling, with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. This relatively level topography is typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which extends inland from the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River systems.

The landscape is punctuated by numerous tidal creeks, wetlands, and small tributaries that flow into the larger Patuxent River to the east. These waterways create a network of low-lying areas and modest ridges, giving the region a gently undulating character rather than dramatic elevation changes. The soil composition consists largely of sandy loam and clay deposits left by ancient marine environments, which drain moderately well in most areas.

Agricultural fields and forest patches dominate the rural portions of the landscape, with many cleared areas that have been used for farming tobacco, corn, and soybeans over the centuries. The forested sections are typically composed of mixed hardwood and pine stands that are common throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. These wooded areas tend to occupy the slightly higher ground and steeper slopes near stream valleys.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The gentle topography around Hollywood presents several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas would be the expansive agricultural fields that stretch across the inland portions of St. Mary's County, particularly those located on the subtle ridges and plateaus that rise above the immediate floodplains of local waterways.

Areas to the north and northwest of Hollywood offer some of the best potential, where the terrain becomes slightly more elevated and well-drained while maintaining the gentle slopes ideal for solar panel arrays. These locations typically feature open farmland with minimal tree coverage and good access to existing road infrastructure. The relatively stable soils in these areas would provide solid foundations for mounting systems without the complications of wetland restrictions.

The western portions of the region, moving away from the more densely developed areas near the Patuxent River, present additional opportunities on former agricultural lands that have good southern exposure and minimal shading from surrounding vegetation. These areas benefit from being situated on the broader, flatter sections of the coastal plain where large contiguous parcels could accommodate extensive solar arrays.

Locations closer to the major transportation corridors, such as those near Route 5 and Route 235, would offer logistical advantages for construction and maintenance while still providing the open, relatively level terrain necessary for efficient solar installations. The key is identifying parcels that balance accessibility with optimal solar exposure while avoiding environmentally sensitive areas like wetlands and critical wildlife habitats that are scattered throughout 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.