Carrollton, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 33.6012 and longitude -85.0507 provides ample sunlight for solar power production, with varying levels of efficiency across seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Carrollton experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year. Summer and spring are the most productive seasons, with daily outputs of 6.14 kWh and 6.02 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.50 kWh per day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.76 kWh per day, which is still considerable for solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Carrollton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 29 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Carrollton's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and hail.

Additionally, Carrollton's humid subtropical climate can lead to increased dust and pollen accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels can help ensure optimal performance. Installing panels at the recommended 29-degree angle also aids in natural cleaning during rainfall.

Seasonal Considerations

While solar production is viable year-round in Carrollton, the significant drop in winter output should be taken into account when designing a solar system. Oversizing the system slightly can help compensate for reduced winter production. Additionally, considering a hybrid system that combines solar with other renewable energy sources could provide more consistent year-round energy production.

In conclusion, Carrollton, Georgia offers a favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with particularly strong potential during spring and summer months. By addressing potential environmental challenges and optimizing panel installation, residents and businesses can effectively harness solar energy 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 Carrollton, Georgia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.6012, Longitude: -85.0507 (Carrollton, Georgia, 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 29° South in Carrollton, Georgia, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carrollton, Georgia, United States (Lat/Long 33.6012, -85.0507) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Carrollton, Georgia, 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 Carrollton, Georgia, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	26° 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 Carrollton, Georgia, 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 Carrollton, Georgia, 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 Carrollton, Georgia, United States

The area surrounding Carrollton, United States, located at latitude 33.6012 and longitude -85.0507, is characterized by a diverse and gently rolling topography typical of the Piedmont region in western Georgia. This landscape features a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and occasional flat areas, creating a picturesque setting that transitions between the Appalachian Mountains to the north and the coastal plains to the south. The terrain around Carrollton is generally undulating, with elevations ranging from about 700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The area is dotted with numerous small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys over time, contributing to the region's subtle variations in elevation. These waterways are part of the larger Tallapoosa River watershed, which plays a significant role in shaping the local topography.

Vegetation and Land Use

The landscape is predominantly covered by a mix of deciduous and pine forests, interspersed with cleared areas for agriculture and urban development. The forested areas tend to be denser on steeper slopes and along waterways, while flatter areas are more likely to be used for farming or have been developed for residential and commercial purposes.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms would be relatively flat, open areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or other obstructions. Based on the topography of the region, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV projects would likely be found in the following locations: 1. Former agricultural lands or pastures that are no longer in active use. These areas often provide large, open spaces with minimal slope and good sun exposure. 2. Gently sloping hillsides facing south or southwest, which would receive optimal sunlight throughout the day. 3. Cleared areas on the outskirts of urban developments, where land may be available and infrastructure is nearby. 4. Brownfield sites or reclaimed industrial areas that are not suitable for other types of development but could be repurposed for solar energy production. It's important to note that while the rolling terrain around Carrollton presents some challenges for large-scale solar installations, modern solar panel technologies and mounting systems can adapt to mild slopes and uneven ground. Additionally, careful site selection and land preparation can help overcome some of the topographical limitations in the area.

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.