Whitwell, Tennessee, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.33 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.64 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable performance to summer months. Autumn shows a notable decline to 4.14 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging period with only 2.53 kWh per day per kW. This represents a nearly 60% reduction in solar output compared to peak summer performance.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Whitwell, Tennessee, solar panels should be installed at a fixed angle of 30 degrees tilted toward the south. This optimal angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining daily optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Local Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several regional factors in Tennessee can significantly impact solar energy production and should be addressed during installation planning:

• Ice and snow accumulation: Winter weather can create ice buildup and snow coverage on panels, blocking sunlight and reducing efficiency during already low-production months
• Severe thunderstorms and hail: Tennessee's climate includes frequent severe weather events that can damage solar equipment
• High humidity and moisture: The regional climate creates conditions that can lead to equipment corrosion and reduced panel efficiency over time
• Tree coverage and vegetation: The heavily forested Tennessee landscape can create shading issues that dramatically reduce solar output

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented:

• Proper panel spacing and mounting: Install panels with adequate spacing to allow snow and ice to slide off naturally, and use mounting systems that promote good drainage
• Impact-resistant materials: Choose solar panels and mounting hardware rated for hail impact and high wind loads common in Tennessee
• Corrosion-resistant components: Select aluminum or stainless steel mounting systems and ensure all electrical connections are properly sealed against moisture
• Strategic site selection: Conduct thorough shade analysis and consider tree removal or trimming to eliminate shading, particularly during peak sun hours
• Regular maintenance access: Design installations that allow for safe cleaning and maintenance, especially important for removing debris and checking for storm damage

While Whitwell, Tennessee offers decent solar potential during spring and summer months, the significant winter reduction in output and regional weather challenges require careful planning and robust installation practices to ensure optimal long-term performance.

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 Whitwell

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.2015, Longitude: -85.5191 (Whitwell, 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 30° South in Whitwell, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Whitwell, United States (Lat/Long 35.2015, -85.5191) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Whitwell, 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 Whitwell, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° 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	40° South in Autumn	50° 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 Whitwell, 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 Whitwell, 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 Whitwell, United States

Topography Around Whitwell, Tennessee

Whitwell is situated in the southeastern portion of Tennessee, nestled within the Cumberland Plateau region. This area is characterized by a distinctive landscape of rolling hills, ridges, and valleys that create a moderately rugged terrain. The town sits at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet above sea level, positioned on relatively level ground compared to the surrounding higher elevations.

The Cumberland Plateau dominates the local geography, featuring sandstone caprock formations that create flat-topped ridges and steep-sided valleys. These geological features result in a landscape where elevations can vary significantly over short distances. The plateau's characteristic "table-top" mountains rise to elevations exceeding 2,000 feet, while the valleys between them drop to around 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea level.

Drainage patterns in the area are well-established, with numerous creeks and small streams flowing through the valleys toward larger waterways. The terrain includes a mix of forested ridgetops, cleared agricultural land in the valleys, and residential areas scattered throughout the gentler slopes. Much of the region maintains its natural forest cover, particularly on the steeper slopes and ridge crests.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Whitwell would be the relatively flat agricultural areas and cleared land within the broader valleys. These locations offer several advantages, including minimal grading requirements, reduced installation costs, and easier access for construction and maintenance activities.

The plateau tops, while offering good solar exposure due to their elevation and openness, present challenges for large-scale development due to access difficulties and the need for extensive clearing of existing forest cover. However, smaller cleared areas on these elevated surfaces could be viable for solar development if transportation infrastructure can be adequately established.

Areas with gentle south-facing slopes would be particularly well-suited for solar installations, as they naturally orient panels toward optimal sun angles throughout the day. The valley floors and lower hillsides that have been previously cleared for agriculture represent the most practical options for large-scale solar farms, offering relatively level terrain with existing road access.

The region's mix of private agricultural land and cleared parcels provides opportunities for solar development without requiring extensive environmental impact mitigation. Areas that have been previously disturbed or are currently used for low-intensity agriculture would be ideal candidates, as they minimize conflicts with existing forest ecosystems while providing the space needed for utility-scale solar 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!

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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.