Franklin, Kentucky, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 36.7254, -86.57, 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 Franklin varies considerably throughout the year. Summer delivers the highest production at 6.43 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best performing season with 5.62 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline in solar production, dropping to 4.01 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. Winter presents the most challenging conditions for solar generation, with output falling to just 2.46 kWh per day per kW - less than half of summer production levels. For maximum year-round energy production from a fixed panel installation at this Franklin location, solar panels should be tilted at 32 degrees facing south. This optimal angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Franklin, Kentucky can impact solar panel performance and should be addressed during installation planning. **Ice and Snow Accumulation**: Winter weather can cause ice and snow to accumulate on solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing energy production during an already low-output season. Installing panels at the recommended 32-degree tilt helps promote natural snow shedding, while ensuring adequate spacing between panel rows prevents shadowing from accumulated snow on lower panels. **High Humidity and Moisture**: Kentucky's humid climate can lead to moisture-related issues including potential corrosion of electrical components and reduced panel efficiency due to water spotting. Selecting solar equipment with appropriate weatherproofing ratings and ensuring proper drainage around ground-mounted systems helps mitigate these concerns. **Severe Weather Events**: The region experiences thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and high winds that can damage solar installations. Proper mounting systems rated for local wind loads, surge protection devices, and comprehensive insurance coverage are essential preventative measures. **Tree Coverage and Shading**: Franklin's heavily forested areas can create shading issues that significantly reduce solar output. Careful site selection, tree trimming, and the use of power optimizers or microinverters can help minimize production losses from partial shading conditions. Regular maintenance including panel cleaning, vegetation management, and system inspections will help ensure optimal performance throughout the year at this location.

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 Franklin, Kentucky

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.7254, Longitude: -86.57 (Franklin, Kentucky, 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 32° South in Franklin, Kentucky, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Franklin, Kentucky, United States (Lat/Long 36.7254, -86.57) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Franklin, Kentucky, 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 Franklin, Kentucky, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
20° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	52° South in Winter	29° 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 Franklin, Kentucky, 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 Franklin, Kentucky, 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 Franklin, Kentucky, United States

Topographical Features Around Franklin

Franklin sits in the heart of Middle Tennessee's rolling landscape, positioned within the Nashville Basin geological region. The terrain around this historic city is characterized by gently undulating hills, broad valleys, and relatively moderate elevation changes. The area lies at approximately 600 feet above sea level, with the surrounding countryside featuring a mix of agricultural fields, pastureland, and forested areas interspersed with residential and commercial development. The region's topography is dominated by limestone bedrock beneath fertile soils, creating the characteristic rolling hills that define much of central Tennessee. These hills typically rise and fall in gentle gradients rather than steep inclines, making the landscape relatively accessible for development and infrastructure projects. The Harpeth River winds through the area, creating some flatter bottomland along its course, while tributary streams have carved modest valleys throughout the region. To the southeast of Franklin, the terrain begins to transition toward the foothills of the Highland Rim, where elevations gradually increase and the landscape becomes more pronounced. Conversely, areas to the northwest tend toward flatter terrain as they approach the broader Nashville metropolitan region. The overall topographical character remains fairly consistent within a twenty-mile radius, featuring the same rolling agricultural and suburban landscape patterns.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Franklin would be found on the broader, flatter agricultural areas that extend northwest and northeast of the city. These areas offer several advantages including relatively level terrain that minimizes grading costs and reduces shading issues between solar panel rows. The agricultural fields in these directions typically feature open expanses with minimal tree coverage, providing excellent solar access throughout the day. Areas along the broader valley floors, particularly those following the Harpeth River corridor, present good opportunities for solar development due to their flatter topography and existing cleared land use. However, developers would need to consider flood plain restrictions and environmental sensitivities near waterways. The gently sloping hillsides with southern exposure could also prove suitable, as these natural slopes can actually enhance solar collection efficiency when panels are properly oriented. The region's agricultural heritage means much of the surrounding countryside consists of open fields and pastureland, which can be ideal for solar installations. Areas with existing agricultural use often have fewer regulatory hurdles and established electrical infrastructure nearby. The relatively stable geology, built on limestone bedrock, provides good foundation conditions for solar mounting systems. Transportation access represents another important consideration, and areas near major roadways like Interstate 65 and Highway 96 offer advantages for construction and maintenance access. The proximity to Nashville's electrical grid infrastructure also makes the broader region attractive for utility-scale solar development, as transmission interconnection options are more readily available than in more remote locations.

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.