Solar PV Analysis of Weaverville, United States
Weaverville, North Carolina, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The town's geographical position at latitude 35.7113 and longitude -82.5467 provides varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Weaverville experiences significant fluctuations across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.42 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.80 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.41 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.88 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal times for solar energy production in Weaverville are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when daylight hours are longest and sun angle is highest. Spring (March to May) also offers excellent solar potential. While autumn (September to November) still provides decent solar output, winter (December to February) sees a significant drop in production due to shorter days and lower sun angles.
Panel Installation Considerations
For fixed panel installations in Weaverville, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, compensating for the sun's changing position throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Weaverville's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Tree coverage: The area's lush vegetation might cast shadows on panels, reducing their effectiveness.
- Occasional snowfall: Winter snowfall, though typically light, can temporarily decrease panel output if not promptly removed.
To mitigate these issues, careful site selection is crucial. Choosing locations with minimal shading from trees or buildings can significantly improve solar performance. Additionally, installing panels at the recommended 31-degree tilt can help shed snow more easily, reducing the impact of winter weather on energy production.
Overall, while Weaverville faces some seasonal variations and minor environmental challenges, it remains a viable location for solar PV installations with proper planning and implementation.
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 Weaverville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.7113, Longitude: -82.5467 (Weaverville, 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 Weaverville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Weaverville, United States (Lat/Long 35.7113, -82.5467) 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 Weaverville, 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 Weaverville, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 28° 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 Weaverville, 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 Weaverville, 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 Weaverville, United States
Weaverville, located in western North Carolina, is situated in a region characterized by diverse and picturesque topography. The town itself lies in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. This creates a landscape of rolling hills, steep slopes, and hidden valleys throughout the area.
The terrain around Weaverville is generally hilly and forested, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. The nearby French Broad River and its tributaries have carved out scenic valleys and gorges over millions of years, adding to the area's topographical complexity. This varied landscape includes a mix of deciduous and coniferous forests, interspersed with cleared areas for agriculture and development.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations near Weaverville, there are some challenges posed by the mountainous terrain. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require relatively flat, open areas with good sun exposure. While the region's topography may limit the availability of such sites, there are still potential areas that could be suitable for solar development.
The most promising locations for large-scale solar PV near Weaverville would likely be found in the broader river valleys and on gentler slopes with southern exposure. Areas to the east and northeast of Weaverville, towards the more open landscapes of the Piedmont region, may offer more favorable conditions for solar farms. These areas tend to have less dramatic elevation changes and more expansive open spaces.
Additionally, former agricultural lands or reclaimed industrial sites in the vicinity could provide suitable locations for solar installations. These areas often offer the necessary space and are already cleared of forest cover, reducing the environmental impact of development.
It's important to note that while the mountainous topography presents challenges for large-scale solar development, it also creates opportunities for smaller, distributed solar installations on south-facing slopes and rooftops throughout the region. This approach could harness solar energy while working within the constraints of the local landscape.
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: Monday 12th of August 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.
