Butler, Georgia, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows significant seasonal fluctuation. Summer delivers the highest production at 6.25 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, closely followed by spring at 6.20 kWh per day. These warm-weather months represent the ideal periods for solar generation at Butler, Georgia. However, winter performance drops substantially to just 2.90 kWh per day per kW, representing less than half the summer output. Autumn provides moderate production at 4.60 kWh per day, making it a transitional season for solar generation.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Butler, Georgia, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 28 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for daily solar potential.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental and weather factors in Butler, Georgia, could potentially impact solar energy production:

• High humidity levels typical of the Northern Sub Tropics can reduce panel efficiency
• Frequent thunderstorms and severe weather events common in Georgia
• Heavy pollen loads, particularly during spring months
• Potential for ice storms during winter
• High summer temperatures that can decrease panel efficiency

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered. Proper panel spacing and mounting systems that allow adequate airflow can help combat efficiency losses from high humidity and heat. Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings and smooth surfaces makes cleaning easier and reduces pollen accumulation. Using high-quality mounting hardware rated for severe weather conditions protects against storm damage. Regular maintenance schedules, particularly during high-pollen seasons, ensure panels remain clean and efficient. Installing micro-inverters or power optimizers can minimize the impact when individual panels are shaded or dirty. Ground-mounted systems with adjustable tilt mechanisms could potentially capture more energy during winter months when production is lowest, though this adds complexity and cost compared to fixed installations.

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 Butler, Georgia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.5571, Longitude: -84.2382 (Butler, 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 28° South in Butler, Georgia, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Butler, Georgia, United States (Lat/Long 32.5571, -84.2382) 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 Butler, 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 Butler, Georgia, 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
16° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	25° 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 Butler, 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 Butler, 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 Butler, Georgia, United States

Topographical Features Around Butler, Georgia

The landscape surrounding Butler, Georgia is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain typical of the southeastern United States Coastal Plain region. This area sits at a moderate elevation with gradual undulations that create a pleasant mix of open fields, wooded areas, and agricultural land. The topography is generally favorable for development, with slopes that are neither too steep nor completely flat. The region features well-drained soils and a mixture of pine forests interspersed with cleared agricultural areas. Small creeks and streams meander through the landscape, creating shallow valleys that add subtle variation to the otherwise gentle terrain. The elevation changes are modest, creating long sight lines across the countryside and providing good exposure to southern skies.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Butler would be the extensive cleared agricultural fields and pastureland that dot the region. These areas offer several key advantages including relatively flat terrain that minimizes grading requirements, existing cleared land that reduces environmental impact, and good accessibility via the rural road network. The open farmland south and west of Butler presents particularly attractive opportunities, as these areas combine favorable topography with minimal shading from trees or structures. The gentle slopes in these agricultural zones provide natural drainage while maintaining optimal angles for solar panel installation. Many of these fields are already connected to electrical infrastructure through existing farm operations, which could facilitate grid connection for solar projects. Former agricultural areas that have transitioned out of active farming also represent prime candidates for solar development. These locations retain the beneficial characteristics of cleared, relatively flat land while potentially offering landowners alternative revenue streams. The existing field boundaries and access roads in these areas would support the logistics required for large-scale solar construction and maintenance. Areas with mixed pine forest would be less suitable due to the environmental impact of clearing and the ongoing challenge of managing shade from adjacent tree lines. Similarly, locations near the small creek valleys, while scenic, would present drainage considerations and potentially more complex permitting requirements that make them less ideal for utility-scale solar development.

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.