Washington, North Carolina, located at 35.5466° North, -77.0522° East, offers varying solar energy potential throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal fluctuations in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Washington, NC show strong performance during summer months, generating approximately 6.56 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.07 kWh/day production. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.46 kWh/day, while winter production drops significantly to 2.78 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (more than double) indicates that this location experiences significant seasonal variation. Spring and summer clearly represent the prime solar harvesting periods, making up for the reduced output during autumn and particularly winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Washington, NC, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and weighted solar potential throughout the year.

This optimal angle represents a compromise that balances summer and winter production. During summer months when the sun is higher in the sky, a flatter angle would be ideal, while winter months would benefit from a steeper angle. The 31-degree tilt provides the best overall annual energy harvest.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Washington, NC. The coastal proximity means the area is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season (June through November). These weather events can cause physical damage to solar installations and reduce production during extended cloudy periods.

High humidity levels in this region can lead to more frequent panel soiling from pollen, dust, and organic matter. Additionally, Washington experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, which can temporarily reduce production but also helps naturally clean panels.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Washington, NC, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install hurricane-rated mounting systems with enhanced structural support to withstand high winds
• Use corrosion-resistant hardware and materials suitable for the occasionally humid coastal environment
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during pollen season in spring
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses during partial shading conditions
• Ensure proper tree trimming to prevent shading, especially during winter months when sun angles are lower

With these considerations addressed, Washington's solar potential remains quite good, particularly from March through October when production levels consistently exceed 4 kWh per day per installed kilowatt.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Washington, North Carolina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5466, Longitude: -77.0522 (Washington, North Carolina, 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 Washington, North Carolina, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Washington, North Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 35.5466, -77.0522) 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 Washington, North Carolina, 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 Washington, North Carolina, 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
20° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	28° 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 Washington, North Carolina, 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 Washington, North Carolina, 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 Washington, North Carolina, United States

The area surrounding Washington, North Carolina is characterized by a gentle, predominantly flat topography typical of the eastern North Carolina coastal plain. This region sits in what is known as the Inner Coastal Plain, with elevations generally ranging from near sea level to only about 30-40 feet above sea level. The landscape features subtle rolling hills in some areas, but dramatic elevation changes are notably absent. Washington itself is situated along the Pamlico River, which is actually a wide, slow-moving estuary that eventually connects to Pamlico Sound and then the Atlantic Ocean. This waterway significantly influences the surrounding topography, creating lowland areas and occasional wetlands near its banks. The river's presence has historically shaped both the natural environment and human settlement patterns in the region.

Surrounding Landscape Features

Moving outward from Washington, the terrain remains consistently flat with minimal variation. The area contains a mixture of agricultural fields, pine forests, and scattered wetlands. Small streams and drainage canals crisscross the landscape, creating a subtle network of water features that drain toward the Pamlico River. These waterways have gentle banks rather than steep ravines, further emphasizing the overall flat nature of the region. The soils in this area are predominantly sandy loams and silty clays, reflecting the region's geological history as an ancient seabed that has emerged over millennia. These soil types support the region's agricultural activities but also influence drainage patterns and land stability.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

The flat topography of the Washington area presents several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development. The most suitable areas would be the extensive agricultural lands that surround the city, particularly those located to the north and west. These areas offer several key benefits for solar development: The agricultural fields provide large, contiguous parcels of relatively level land that would require minimal grading or preparation for solar array installation. Many of these areas have already been cleared of trees, eliminating the need for vegetation removal and reducing environmental impact and site preparation costs. The rural areas north and west of Washington contain fewer residential developments, potentially reducing land acquisition challenges and minimizing concerns about visual impact on populated areas. These directions also take advantage of land that sits slightly higher in elevation than areas immediately adjacent to the Pamlico River, reducing potential flooding concerns. Areas to generally avoid would include the wetlands and flood-prone zones close to the Pamlico River and its tributaries, particularly to the south and east of Washington. These locations face higher flood risks and often contain environmentally sensitive ecosystems that would be inappropriate for large-scale development. The flat terrain throughout the region means that solar exposure is generally excellent, with minimal topographical shading concerns that might be present in more mountainous regions. This consistent exposure to sunlight makes much of the land surrounding Washington technically suitable for solar development from a purely topographical perspective. The existing electrical transmission infrastructure in the region would also need to be considered when identifying specific sites, as proximity to transmission lines significantly impacts the economic viability of large-scale solar projects.

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.