Solar Energy Potential in Moore, South Carolina

Moore, South Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.8335, -81.9921, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. The solar energy production potential follows the expected seasonal pattern, with summer providing the highest output at 6.51 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.08 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate reduction to 4.43 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.90 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Performance

The significant difference between summer and winter production (more than double) indicates that while Moore is suitable for year-round solar energy generation, the system will produce substantially more electricity during the warmer months. Spring and summer (roughly April through September) represent the prime solar generating seasons in this location, making these months ideal for maximizing solar energy capture. For fixed panel installations in Moore, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy capture based on the location's specific latitude and solar patterns.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors may impact solar production in Moore:

• Occasional severe weather events including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and the potential for tropical storm systems can temporarily reduce production.
• Humidity and haze during summer months may slightly reduce optimal performance despite the longer days.
• Tree coverage is substantial in the Carolina region, potentially creating shading issues.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Moore, consider these preventative measures:

• Install panels in locations with minimal shade throughout the day, conducting thorough shade analysis before installation.
• Use microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during pollen season in spring and after storms.
• Consider a ground-mounted system if roof orientation is not ideal for the recommended 30-degree south-facing tilt.

Overall, Moore provides good conditions for solar energy production, with exceptional performance during spring and summer that can help offset the reduced winter generation.

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 Moore, South Carolina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.8335, Longitude: -81.9921 (Moore, South Carolina, 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 Moore, South Carolina, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Moore, South Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 34.8335, -81.9921) 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 Moore, South Carolina, 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 Moore, South Carolina, 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
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° 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 Moore, South Carolina, 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 Moore, South Carolina, 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 Moore, South Carolina, United States

The terrain surrounding Moore, South Carolina, nestled in Spartanburg County, presents a diverse topographical landscape characteristic of the Piedmont region. This area sits in the transitional zone between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the northwest and the Atlantic Coastal Plain to the southeast, creating a gently rolling landscape with moderate elevation changes. Moore's topography features undulating hills and shallow valleys, with elevations generally ranging between 700 and 900 feet above sea level. The land gradually slopes downward from northwest to southeast, following the regional pattern of the Piedmont. Small streams and creeks have carved modest valleys throughout the area, creating a patchwork of ridges and depressions across the landscape.

Hydrological Features

The North Tyger River flows near Moore, alongside several smaller tributaries that dissect the landscape. These waterways have shaped the local topography over millennia, creating natural drainage systems throughout the region. The presence of these water bodies contributes to the varied elevation profile, with some steeper slopes found along stream banks and more gradual inclines characterizing the broader terrain.

Vegetation and Land Use

The natural vegetation consists primarily of mixed hardwood and pine forests, though significant portions have been cleared for agricultural use, residential development, and commercial purposes. The remaining wooded areas tend to be concentrated on steeper slopes and along waterways, while flatter terrain has historically been preferred for development.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Moore offer promising conditions. The most suitable locations would be: The gently sloping fields and former agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Moore present ideal conditions for solar development. These areas feature relatively flat terrain with minimal shadowing from topographical features, maximizing potential solar exposure throughout the day. Elevated plateaus and broad ridgetops throughout the region, particularly those with southern exposures, would be well-suited for solar arrays. These locations benefit from unobstructed solar access and typically have well-drained soils that reduce installation complexities. Areas with minimal forest cover northeast of Moore, where the terrain flattens somewhat, offer expansive spaces potentially suitable for larger installations. These locations would require less clearing and grading compared to more heavily wooded or steeply sloped areas.

Topographical Challenges

Not all areas around Moore are equally suitable for solar development. The steeper slopes found along river valleys and pronounced hills would present construction challenges and potentially create shadowing issues for solar arrays. Additionally, low-lying areas near streams may face drainage concerns or potential flooding risks. The rolling nature of the Piedmont landscape means that site-specific assessment is crucial, as solar potential can vary significantly even across relatively short distances. Microclimate factors influenced by the local topography can affect performance, making proper site selection essential for optimal energy production. Overall, the diverse topography around Moore offers numerous viable options for solar development, particularly on the more level terrain to the south and east, where the Piedmont begins its gradual transition toward the coastal plain.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.