Solar PV Analysis of Duluth, Georgia, United States
Duluth, Georgia, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics of the United States, is a relatively good location for generating power through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, like any other place on Earth, its effectiveness varies with each season.
During summer and spring seasons where sunlight is more abundant - producing approximately 6.26 kWh/day and 5.84 kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively - Duluth proves to be an excellent spot for harnessing solar energy. On the contrary, autumn and winter see a dip in production due to less daylight hours and weather conditions; with average outputs dropping to around 4.42 kWh/day in autumn and as low as 2.74kWh/day during winter.
To optimize your yearly energy output from your PV system at this location, you should consider tilting your panels towards South at an angle of about 30 degrees. This position allows them to capture most sunlight throughout different times of the year.
While Duluth offers ample sun exposure for solar panels overall, there may be certain local factors that could potentially affect their performance such as cloudy or rainy weather which are common during certain periods in this region reducing direct sunlight exposure on panels; also trees or buildings might cast shadows onto your panels depending on their placement.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Make sure that solar arrays are not shaded by nearby structures or vegetation especially between peak sun hours usually from around 9 AM to 3 PM.
2) Regular maintenance including cleaning can help keep dust and debris off your panels which can obstruct sunlight penetration thus affecting efficiency.
3) Consider installing tracking systems that follow the path of the sun across sky maximizing exposure especially if budget permits it.
4) Lastly ensure proper installation by professionals who understand local climate patterns so they can advise best strategies tailored specifically for Duluth's environment ensuring maximum productivity all year round from your PV system.
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 Duluth, Georgia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0297, Longitude: -84.1469 (Duluth, 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 30° South in Duluth, Georgia, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Duluth, Georgia, United States (Lat/Long 34.0297, -84.1469) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Duluth, 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 Duluth, Georgia, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° South in Summer | 39° South in Autumn | 49° 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 Duluth, 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 Duluth, Georgia, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Duluth, Georgia, United States
The coordinates provided are actually for Duluth, Georgia, not Duluth, Minnesota.
Duluth, Georgia is located in the southeastern United States and features a relatively flat to gently rolling topography characteristic of the Piedmont region. The area is characterized by low-lying areas interspersed with hills.
As for solar PV suitability, large-scale solar photovoltaic systems require open and relatively flat land that receives ample sunlight throughout the year. Given this requirement, locations outside of urban centers where there may be larger tracts of undeveloped or agricultural land would likely be most suitable.
In terms of specific nearby areas in Georgia that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1) Southern parts of Georgia - These regions receive abundant sunlight and have vast stretches of flatlands which could potentially accommodate large-scale solar farms.
2) Areas around Athens – This region has seen some significant investment in solar energy due to its favorable conditions.
3) Agricultural lands - Unused or less productive farmlands can also be converted into solar farms without significantly impacting the local ecosystem or food production capacity.
However, any potential site would need a detailed assessment considering various factors like sun exposure (solar irradiance), land availability and use restrictions, proximity to transmission lines (for grid-connected systems), environmental impact assessments etc., before determining its suitability for a large scale Solar PV system installation.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
