Waimanalo, 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 temperature-based seasons.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

The solar energy output in Waimanalo varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, generating an impressive 7.73 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 7.03 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.99 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.70 kWh/day per kW installed.

Despite the winter dip, Waimanalo's solar potential remains strong year-round. The consistent tropical sunlight ensures that even during the less productive months, solar panels continue to generate significant energy.

Optimal Panel Installation

For those considering a fixed panel installation in Waimanalo, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 18 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Waimanalo presents an overall ideal location for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Humidity: The tropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, potentially affecting panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
• Salt spray: Proximity to the ocean may expose panels to salt spray, which can corrode equipment over time. Using marine-grade materials and protective coatings can help prevent damage.

To ensure optimal energy production, it's recommended to use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware, implement a regular cleaning schedule, and consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of any panel underperformance due to environmental factors.

Overall, Waimanalo's consistent sunlight and favorable climate make it an excellent location for solar energy production, with only minor challenges that can be easily addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Waimanalo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.3423, Longitude: -157.7141 (Waimanalo, 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 Waimanalo, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Waimanalo, United States (Lat/Long 21.3423, -157.7141) 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 Waimanalo, 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 Waimanalo, 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 Waimanalo, 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 Waimanalo, 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 Waimanalo, United States

Waimanalo, located on the windward side of Oahu, Hawaii, is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by striking topographical features. The area is characterized by a relatively flat coastal plain that gradually rises towards the dramatic Ko'olau Mountain Range to the west. This mountain range forms a stunning backdrop to Waimanalo, with steep, verdant cliffs and jagged peaks that catch clouds and create a microclimate for the region. To the east of Waimanalo lies the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, with beautiful sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The transition from the beach to the inland areas is marked by gentle slopes and low-lying hills, creating a diverse landscape that includes agricultural lands, residential areas, and pockets of lush tropical vegetation.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental impact. The coastal plains and gently sloping areas just inland from Waimanalo Beach could potentially be suitable for solar PV development. These areas receive abundant sunshine and have less dramatic topography compared to the mountainous regions. However, it's important to note that much of this land is currently used for agriculture or residential purposes, which may limit available space for large-scale installations. Another area to consider would be the upland regions to the north and northwest of Waimanalo, where the terrain begins to rise but hasn't yet reached the steeper slopes of the Ko'olau Range. These areas might offer a good balance of sun exposure and available land, though careful planning would be needed to address potential visual impacts and land-use concerns. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar PV development in this region would need to carefully consider environmental factors, including the preservation of native ecosystems, cultural sites, and the area's natural beauty. Additionally, the strong trade winds that often blow through this part of Oahu could potentially impact the design and placement of solar panels. Ultimately, while the Waimanalo area has potential for solar energy development, any large-scale projects would require thorough environmental assessments, community engagement, and careful integration with the existing landscape to ensure they align with the region's natural and cultural values.

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.