Madison, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at latitude 33.5977 and longitude -83.4545, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, with peak production occurring during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive average daily output of 6.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 6.12 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, averaging 4.48 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output, with 2.85 kWh/day, due to shorter daylight hours and the sun's lower position in the sky.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The period from late spring through early fall offers the most ideal conditions for solar energy production in Madison. During these months, longer days and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, even during the less productive winter months, the panels continue to generate a meaningful amount of electricity.

Panel Tilt Optimization

For fixed panel installations in Madison, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 29 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for seasonal variations in the sun's path across the sky.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Madison's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

• Occasional severe thunderstorms and the rare risk of tornadoes in the region may pose a threat to solar installations.
• High humidity levels, particularly during summer months, can slightly reduce panel efficiency.

To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to use sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand high winds and to ensure proper drainage to prevent water accumulation on panels. Regular cleaning may also help maintain optimal performance in humid conditions.

Overall, Madison's location provides a solid foundation for solar PV energy generation, with ample sunlight throughout most of the year and manageable environmental challenges.

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 Madison, Georgia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.5977, Longitude: -83.4545 (Madison, 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 Madison, Georgia, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Madison, Georgia, United States (Lat/Long 33.5977, -83.4545) 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 Madison, 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 Madison, 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	49° 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 Madison, 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 Madison, 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 Madison, Georgia, United States

The topography around Madison, United States, located at latitude 33.5977 and longitude -83.4545, is characterized by gently rolling hills and a mix of open fields and forested areas. This region, situated in the Piedmont plateau of Georgia, features a landscape that transitions from the flat coastal plains in the south to the more mountainous terrain of the Appalachians in the north. The area surrounding Madison consists of undulating terrain with moderate elevation changes. The land is dotted with small streams and creeks that flow through shallow valleys, creating a patchwork of low-lying areas and slightly elevated ridges. The soil in this region is typically a mix of clay and sand, which has been shaped over time by erosion and agricultural practices.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Madison, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those with relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstacles. Open fields and pastures that are no longer used for agriculture would be prime candidates for solar PV development. These areas often have the advantage of being already cleared of trees and having good access to existing roads and infrastructure. The slightly elevated areas on the tops of gentle hills could be particularly well-suited, as they would receive maximum sunlight throughout the day and be less prone to morning fog or mist that might accumulate in lower-lying areas. Areas to the south and east of Madison might be especially promising for solar PV installations. These directions typically receive more direct sunlight throughout the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, any large, open spaces that are not currently used for residential or commercial purposes could be considered for solar development, provided they have suitable access to the electrical grid. It's important to note that while the rolling topography of the region generally favors solar PV installation, each specific site would need to be carefully evaluated for its individual characteristics. Factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and proximity to power transmission lines would all play a role in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar projects in the Madison 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!

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.