Wiggins, Mississippi represents a moderately good location for year-round solar energy generation, though it experiences significant seasonal variation typical of the Northern Sub Tropics climate zone.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows strong summer performance at 6.00 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring also delivers robust performance at 5.75 kWh daily, creating an extended high-production period from roughly March through September. Autumn production drops to 4.72 kWh daily, which still represents reasonable output for solar systems. Winter presents the most challenging period with only 3.20 kWh daily per kW installed, representing nearly a 50% reduction from peak summer output. For optimal year-round performance, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 28 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by balancing the sun's changing position throughout the seasons.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Wiggins area can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• High humidity and frequent cloud cover - The subtropical climate brings regular afternoon thunderstorms and overcast conditions, particularly during summer months
• Hurricane and severe weather risk - The Gulf Coast location makes the area vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes that can damage installations
• Heavy rainfall and flooding potential - Intense precipitation events can affect ground-mounted systems and electrical components
• Salt air corrosion - Proximity to the Gulf of Mexico introduces salt-laden air that can corrode metal components over time

Protective Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be implemented. Installing panels with enhanced wind ratings and secure mounting systems helps protect against hurricane-force winds and severe storms. Choosing corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum frames and stainless steel hardware combats salt air damage. Regular cleaning schedules become essential to remove salt deposits and debris that reduce panel efficiency. Elevated mounting systems prevent flood damage to electrical components, while proper drainage around installations protects against water accumulation. Installing surge protection devices and weatherproof electrical enclosures safeguards the system's electrical components from lightning strikes and moisture intrusion common in this climate. Regular maintenance and inspection schedules help identify weather-related damage early, ensuring optimal performance throughout the system's lifespan in this challenging but viable solar environment.

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 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 Wiggins

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.8636, Longitude: -89.1305 (Wiggins, 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 28° South in Wiggins, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wiggins, United States (Lat/Long 30.8636, -89.1305) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Wiggins, 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 Wiggins, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
15° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	46° South in Winter	24° 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 Wiggins, 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 Wiggins, 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 Wiggins, United States

Topography Around Wiggins

The landscape surrounding Wiggins in Stone County, Mississippi, is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively low elevation terrain typical of the southeastern United States coastal plain region. This area sits approximately 60 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, creating a transitional zone between the flat coastal marshlands to the south and the more pronounced hills of central Mississippi to the north. The immediate vicinity of Wiggins features modest elevation changes, with the town itself positioned at around 200 feet above sea level. The topography consists primarily of undulating terrain with gradual slopes and broad, shallow valleys carved by numerous small creeks and tributaries that eventually drain toward the Pearl River system. These waterways have created a landscape of gentle ridges separated by low-lying areas that can experience seasonal flooding during heavy rainfall periods. Pine forests dominate much of the surrounding landscape, interspersed with mixed hardwood areas along creek bottoms and wetland margins. The soil composition includes sandy loams and clay deposits typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain, which generally provide stable foundations for development while maintaining good drainage characteristics on higher ground.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Wiggins would be the elevated ridge areas and gently sloping hillsides that offer several key advantages. These higher elevation zones typically provide better drainage, reducing concerns about standing water that could affect equipment longevity and maintenance access. The broad, south-facing slopes found throughout the region present ideal conditions for solar panel orientation, allowing for optimal sun exposure throughout the day while minimizing shading issues. Areas with gradual inclines of less than 15 degrees are particularly well-suited, as they require minimal grading while still providing excellent solar access. Former agricultural lands and cleared pastures on these elevated areas represent prime candidates for solar development. These locations often feature relatively level terrain that has already been cleared of trees, reducing initial site preparation costs. The existing road infrastructure serving these rural agricultural areas also provides a foundation for the access routes necessary for construction and ongoing maintenance operations. Areas to avoid for large-scale solar installations include the lower-lying creek bottoms and floodplain areas, which experience periodic inundation and may have wetland designations that complicate permitting. The densely forested areas, while potentially suitable from a topographic standpoint, would require extensive clearing that could prove environmentally sensitive and economically challenging. The rolling nature of the landscape around Wiggins actually works to advantage for solar development, as it provides natural breaks between different installation areas and helps minimize visual impact from surrounding properties. The moderate topography also allows for effective stormwater management, which is crucial in this region that experiences significant rainfall throughout the year.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.