Elizabethtown, North Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output varies significantly, with summer and spring being the most productive periods.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production, with an impressive 6.43 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.08 kWh/day. These seasons provide ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy output.

Autumn sees a moderate decline in production, yielding 4.47 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.84 kWh/day, which is expected due to shorter days and lower sun angles. Despite this seasonal variation, the location still maintains a respectable year-round solar potential.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Elizabethtown, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Elizabethtown's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Humidity: The area's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, potentially affecting panel efficiency. Regular cleaning may be necessary to prevent moisture-related issues.
• Storms: The region can experience severe thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes. Robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels are essential to withstand these conditions.

To mitigate these factors, consider using corrosion-resistant materials for mounting hardware and selecting panels with strong weather resistance ratings. Additionally, implementing a routine maintenance schedule can help ensure optimal performance and longevity of the solar installation.

Overall, Elizabethtown's location provides a solid foundation for solar PV energy generation, with ample sunlight throughout most of the year. While winter months see reduced output, the strong performance in other seasons makes this a viable location for solar energy investments.

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 Elizabethtown, North Carolina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.6293, Longitude: -78.6053 (Elizabethtown, North 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 Elizabethtown, North Carolina, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 34.6293, -78.6053) 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 Elizabethtown, North 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 Elizabethtown, North 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
18° 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 Elizabethtown, North 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 Elizabethtown, North 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 Elizabethtown, North Carolina, United States

The topography around Elizabethtown, North Carolina, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Coastal Plain region. This area is part of the larger Atlantic Coastal Plain, which extends from New Jersey to Florida. The landscape is relatively flat with subtle elevation changes, rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. The region surrounding Elizabethtown features a mix of agricultural fields, forested areas, and wetlands. The Cape Fear River flows to the east of the town, influencing the local topography with its floodplains and associated tributaries. Small streams and creeks crisscross the area, creating shallow valleys and low-lying areas.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Elizabethtown, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those with ample open space, minimal shading, and relatively flat terrain. These characteristics are abundant in the region, making it potentially attractive for solar energy development. Agricultural lands surrounding Elizabethtown could be prime candidates for solar PV projects. These areas often feature large, open fields with few obstructions, providing ideal conditions for solar panel placement. The gently sloping terrain of former croplands or pastures would require minimal grading, reducing installation costs. Cleared areas that were previously forested but are not currently in use might also be suitable for solar development. These sites typically offer the necessary space and sun exposure without the need for extensive land clearing. It's important to note that while wetlands are common in the region, they would not be suitable for solar PV installations due to environmental concerns and flooding risks. Instead, focusing on higher ground away from flood-prone areas would be more appropriate. Areas to the south and west of Elizabethtown might be particularly well-suited for solar PV, as they tend to have slightly higher elevations and fewer wetlands compared to the areas closer to the Cape Fear River. These locations would likely offer better drainage and reduced risk of flooding, which are important considerations for long-term solar infrastructure. In conclusion, the topography around Elizabethtown provides numerous opportunities for large-scale solar PV development, with agricultural lands and cleared areas on higher ground being the most promising locations. The gentle terrain and abundance of open space make this region potentially attractive for renewable energy projects, subject to proper site assessment and environmental considerations.

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.