Solar PV Analysis of Burlington, North Carolina, United States
Burlington, North Carolina is a decent place for solar energy production all year round, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels varies throughout the year. In summer and spring, you can expect to produce quite a bit of electricity (6.68 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.91 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of solar panel installed). However, in autumn and winter, the output drops significantly (to 4.31 and 2.70 kilowatt-hours per day respectively).
This means that if you're planning to rely solely on solar power for your energy needs in Burlington, you might need additional sources or storage solutions during autumn and winter.
The best times to generate solar power at this location are during the longer daylight hours in spring and especially summer when sunlight is most abundant.
In terms of installation specifics at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 31 degrees towards the South will allow them to capture the most sunlight over the course of a year.
As far as potential obstacles to producing solar energy here go - like anywhere else - weather conditions such as excessive cloud cover or dust could reduce your system's efficiency by blocking sunlight from reaching your panels. While Burlington doesn't have extreme weather conditions typically associated with significant reductions in photovoltaic performance like heavy snowfall or frequent dust storms; occasional rainfall could lead to temporary decreases in output due to cloud cover.
To mitigate these effects as much as possible: regular cleaning can help ensure that dirt or debris don't block sunlight from reaching your panels; installing them in an open area without shade will also maximize their exposure; finally monitoring system performance regularly will allow early detection if any issues arise so they can be addressed promptly.
So overall while Burlington isn't necessarily an ideal location for generating solar power due its lower production levels during autumn and winter months compared other sunnier locations, it's still a viable option with the right set-up and maintenance.
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 Burlington, North Carolina
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.0358, Longitude: -79.5075 (Burlington, 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 31° South in Burlington, North Carolina, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burlington, North Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 36.0358, -79.5075) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, North Carolina, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 | 51° 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, North Carolina, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Burlington, North Carolina, United States
Burlington is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, United States. The topography of this area is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys. The elevation varies from about 500 feet to over 800 feet above sea level.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with open and flat land would be most suitable as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight. Areas like farmlands or industrial zones around Burlington could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
Additionally, rooftops of large buildings such as warehouses or factories can also be utilized for installing solar panels. It's important to note that the suitability would also depend on factors like local regulations, availability of infrastructure for power transmission and proximity to power consumption centers.
The southern part of Burlington near Alamance Regional Medical Center seems relatively flat which might make it a good candidate for a large scale solar installation given appropriate permissions and requirements are met.
However, more detailed site-specific studies including sun path analysis (solar insolation levels), soil tests etc., would need to be conducted before confirming any location's suitability for large-scale solar PV installations.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 1st of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
