Davenport, Florida, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 28.1951 latitude and -81.6062 longitude, this location experiences favorable conditions for harnessing solar power.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Davenport varies across seasons, with spring being the most productive period. During spring, one can expect an impressive 6.69 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely, yielding 5.89 kWh/day, while autumn and winter see slightly reduced outputs of 4.75 kWh/day and 4.03 kWh/day, respectively.

This seasonal variation indicates that Davenport maintains a relatively consistent solar energy potential throughout the year, with only a moderate dip during the winter months. The location's subtropical climate contributes to its year-round solar viability, making it an attractive option for solar PV installations.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Davenport, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 25 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Davenport generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Hurricanes and tropical storms: Florida's susceptibility to these weather events can pose a risk to solar installations. To mitigate this, robust mounting systems and impact-resistant panels should be used.

2. High humidity: The area's humid climate may lead to increased dust accumulation on panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help maintain optimal performance.

3. Afternoon thunderstorms: Common in Florida, these can temporarily reduce solar output. Installing a battery storage system can help balance energy supply during such weather events.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Davenport can achieve high levels of energy production, making the most of the location's abundant sunshine and favorable climate.

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 Davenport, Florida

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.1951, Longitude: -81.6062 (Davenport, Florida, 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 25° South in Davenport, Florida, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Davenport, Florida, United States (Lat/Long 28.1951, -81.6062) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Davenport, Florida, 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 Davenport, Florida, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
12° South in Summer	33° South in Autumn	43° South in Winter	21° 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 Davenport, Florida, 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 Davenport, Florida, 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 Davenport, Florida, United States

The topography around Davenport, Florida, located at latitude 28.1951 and longitude -81.6062, is characterized by a relatively flat landscape typical of central Florida. This area is part of the state's interior lowlands, with minimal elevation changes across the region. The terrain consists primarily of gently rolling hills, shallow depressions, and numerous small lakes and ponds scattered throughout the landscape. The surrounding area is a mix of suburban developments, agricultural land, and natural habitats. To the west of Davenport, you'll find more urbanized areas as you approach the outskirts of Orlando. To the east, the landscape becomes increasingly rural, with expanses of open fields, citrus groves, and patches of forest.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain and abundance of open spaces in the region surrounding Davenport make it generally favorable for solar development. Areas to the east and southeast of Davenport are particularly promising for several reasons: Firstly, these areas tend to have more available land that is not heavily developed or urbanized. Large tracts of agricultural land or unused fields could potentially be repurposed for solar farms without significant conflicts with existing infrastructure or residential areas. Secondly, the lack of tall structures or dense forests in these areas means there are fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Lastly, the proximity to existing power infrastructure in the region, including transmission lines and substations, makes it easier to connect large-scale solar installations to the grid. It's important to note that while the topography is generally suitable, any specific site would need to undergo thorough environmental and technical assessments before being developed for solar PV. Factors such as soil conditions, drainage patterns, and potential impacts on local ecosystems would need to be carefully evaluated to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of a large-scale solar project in the area.

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.