Solar PV Analysis of West Palm Beach, United States
Situated in the United States, West Palm Beach is an optimal locale for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy production. The city's geographical coordinates (latitude: 26.6642, longitude: -80.1732) and sub-tropical climate contribute to its suitability for solar power generation throughout the year.
The average daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity varies seasonally. During the summer months, one can anticipate a yield of 5.91 kWh per kW, while autumn yields drop slightly to 4.88 kWh per kW. Winter sees a further reduction with an average output of 4.42 kWh per kW; however, spring rebounds impressively with the highest seasonal yield at 6.67 kWh per kW.
For fixed panel installations in West Palm Beach, setting panels at a tilt angle of approximately 24 degrees facing south is ideal to maximize sun exposure and consequently increase energy production.
Nonetheless, local environmental factors could potentially impede solar power production in this area due to its tropical storm-prone location on Florida's Atlantic coast. Inclement weather conditions like heavy rainfall and potent winds may curtail sunlight availability thus impacting PV system performance negatively.
To mitigate these potential challenges during installation, it would be beneficial to ensure robust mounting systems are used which can withstand high wind loads common in this region without compromising panel orientation or stability; moreover ensuring adequate drainage around your installation will help prevent water accumulation that could affect system functionality during periods of heavy rain.
In conclusion, while West Palm Beach does present some unique challenges for solar power generation due primarily to weather factors inherent in its coastal location; when properly addressed during installation these issues should not significantly impede overall system performance or efficiency given the city's otherwise favorable climatic conditions for harnessing solar energy throughout most of the year.
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 3032 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 West Palm Beach
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.6642, Longitude: -80.1732 (West Palm Beach, 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 24° South in West Palm Beach, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in West Palm Beach, United States (Lat/Long 26.6642, -80.1732) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11° South in Summer | 32° South in Autumn | 42° South in Winter | 20° 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 West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, United States
The topography around West Palm Beach is generally flat with some low-lying hills in the nearby areas. The most suitable areas for large scale solar PV would be the flat open spaces such as agricultural land, rooftops and other cleared areas that have direct access to sunlight.
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: Tuesday 12th of December 2023
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
