Wingate, North Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.9843, -80.4482, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with seasonal variations in production levels.

The solar energy production at this location shows significant seasonal fluctuations. In summer, panels can generate an impressive 6.54kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 6.12kWh/day per kW. Production drops considerably in autumn to 4.50kWh/day per kW, and winter sees the lowest output at 2.87kWh/day per kW.

For fixed solar panel installations in Wingate, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing solar elevation patterns at this latitude and weighting them according to daily PV potential using NASA's solar irradiance data.

Seasonal Considerations

The most productive seasons for solar energy in Wingate are clearly summer and spring, when panels can operate at 75-100% of their rated capacity on clear days. Autumn still offers moderate production, while winter months see a significant drop to less than half of summer production values.

This seasonal variation means that a solar PV system sized to meet all energy needs in winter would be significantly oversized for summer months. Conversely, a system designed for average annual production would require supplementary energy sources during winter.

Environmental Factors

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Wingate. The region experiences humid subtropical climate conditions that can present challenges:

• Tree coverage and shading can be significant in North Carolina's forested areas, potentially reducing production
• Summer thunderstorms and occasional tropical storm systems can temporarily reduce output
• Winter ice storms, while infrequent, can cover panels and halt production until melting occurs
• Pollen and dust accumulation is common in spring and summer months

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Wingate should incorporate careful site selection with minimal shading, regular panel cleaning schedules (especially during pollen season), and potentially snow/ice removal systems for winter months. Microinverters or power optimizers can help minimize production losses when partial shading is unavoidable.

Overall, Wingate offers a good location for solar PV with strong summer and spring production that can offset the significantly reduced winter output. With proper system design and maintenance, solar can be a viable energy source at this location throughout 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 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 Wingate

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.9843, Longitude: -80.4482 (Wingate, 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 Wingate, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wingate, United States (Lat/Long 34.9843, -80.4482) 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 Wingate, 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 Wingate, 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	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Wingate, 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 Wingate, 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 Wingate, United States

The topography around Wingate, North Carolina, is characterized by gently rolling hills and modest elevation changes typical of the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States. This area sits in a transitional zone between the flatter Coastal Plain to the east and the more mountainous Appalachian region to the west. The landscape features a mix of open fields, scattered woodlands, and numerous small streams and creeks that form part of the broader Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin. Elevations in the Wingate area generally range between 500 and 650 feet above sea level, creating a moderately undulating terrain. This topographical profile provides several advantages for potential solar energy development. The gentle slopes allow for flexible positioning of solar arrays without requiring extensive grading or earthwork, which can significantly reduce installation costs.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

Several characteristics make certain locations around Wingate particularly suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most promising areas include: The agricultural lands south and southeast of Wingate offer excellent potential for solar development. These areas feature large, contiguous parcels with minimal shading obstacles and favorable southern exposures. The existing cleared farmland reduces site preparation costs and environmental impacts associated with clearing new land. The slightly elevated ridgelines running northeast to southwest through the region present opportunities for maximizing solar exposure. These subtle ridges often have ideal southern aspects that can increase energy capture efficiency throughout the year. The relatively flat plateaus found between stream valleys provide stable foundations for solar infrastructure while minimizing erosion concerns. These locations typically have good drainage characteristics, reducing flood risks that could potentially damage solar equipment.

Topographical Considerations

While the Wingate area is generally favorable for solar development, certain topographical features warrant consideration during site selection. The numerous small streams and associated floodplains should be avoided, as these areas present higher risks for flooding and erosion. Additionally, the more heavily wooded sections, particularly on north-facing slopes, would require substantial clearing and may not be ideal candidates for development. The clay-rich soils common to this region can present both advantages and challenges. These soils provide stable foundations for mounting systems but may require specific engineering approaches to address seasonal expansion and contraction cycles. The moderate relief of the landscape also creates opportunities for east-west tracking systems that can follow the sun's path throughout the day, potentially increasing energy production compared to fixed-tilt systems on completely flat terrain. Overall, the topography around Wingate presents numerous viable options for large-scale solar PV development, with the most promising sites being those that combine favorable southern exposure, minimal shading, good drainage, and existing cleared land.

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.