Wailuku, Hawaii, located in the United States, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than traditional four-season cycles.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy potential in Wailuku varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer yields the highest output at 7.80 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 7.07 kWh/day, while autumn produces 6.15 kWh/day. Winter, although less productive, still generates a respectable 4.83 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Wailuku is an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, with peak production occurring during the summer months. The relatively small variation between seasons suggests a consistent and reliable solar resource throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Wailuku, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 18 degrees facing south. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

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

• Occasional tropical storms or hurricanes may pose a risk to solar installations.
• High humidity levels could potentially impact panel efficiency over time.

To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and ensure panels are securely installed to withstand strong winds. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help combat any efficiency loss due to humidity or salt air exposure.

Overall, Wailuku presents an ideal location for solar PV installations, with its consistent sunlight and relatively stable climate providing a reliable source of renewable energy throughout the year.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

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 Wailuku

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 20.8959, Longitude: -156.509 (Wailuku, 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 18° South in Wailuku, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wailuku, United States (Lat/Long 20.8959, -156.509) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 18° 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 Wailuku, 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 Wailuku, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 18° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
5° South in Summer	26° South in Autumn	36° South in Winter	14° 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 Wailuku, 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 Wailuku, 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 Wailuku, United States

Wailuku is located on the island of Maui in Hawaii, United States. The topography around Wailuku is diverse and scenic, characterized by a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and steep mountainous terrain. The town itself sits at the base of the West Maui Mountains, also known as Mauna Kahalawai, which rise dramatically to the west. To the north and east of Wailuku, the landscape transitions into the fertile Iao Valley, carved by ancient lava flows and erosion. This lush, green valley is home to the iconic Iao Needle, a striking natural landmark. The valley floor is relatively flat, surrounded by steep, verdant cliffs that create a dramatic backdrop. Heading south from Wailuku, the terrain gradually slopes down towards the coast, where it meets the isthmus connecting West Maui to the larger eastern portion of the island. This area, known as Central Maui, features expansive flatlands that were once dominated by sugarcane fields.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

The regions most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Wailuku would be the flat, open areas of Central Maui. These former agricultural lands offer several advantages for solar development: Firstly, the relatively level terrain reduces the need for extensive grading and earthwork, making construction more straightforward and cost-effective. The open nature of these areas also means there are fewer obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Secondly, Central Maui experiences abundant sunshine and relatively stable weather patterns, which are crucial for consistent solar energy production. The area's proximity to existing infrastructure, including roads and electrical grids, would facilitate the transportation of materials during construction and the distribution of generated electricity. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, cultural significance of the land, and potential conflicts with agricultural use. The visual impact on the scenic landscape would also be a factor to consider, as Maui's natural beauty is a vital part of its identity and tourism industry. While the mountains surrounding Wailuku offer ample sunlight, their steep slopes and often forested nature make them less suitable for large-scale solar installations. Similarly, the Iao Valley, despite its sunny disposition, is a culturally and ecologically significant area that would likely be protected from such development. In conclusion, the flat, open expanses of Central Maui, south of Wailuku, present the most promising areas for potential large-scale solar PV projects, balancing favorable topography with practical considerations for development and energy distribution.

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.