Dallas, North Carolina, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 35.3165, -81.1762, presents a reasonably good location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation in output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location shows typical patterns for the southeastern United States. Summer provides the highest energy output at 6.59 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak production season. Spring follows as the second-best performing season with 5.98 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn production drops to 4.42 kWh per day per kW, representing a moderate decline from the warmer months. Winter shows the lowest output at 2.83 kWh per day per kW, which is expected given the region's latitude and seasonal sun angle changes. For optimal year-round performance, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 31 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's varying elevation throughout the year and weighting the optimal angles based on solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Dallas, North Carolina can impact solar energy generation:

• High humidity and frequent summer thunderstorms that can reduce solar irradiance
• Ice storms and occasional snow accumulation during winter months
• Dense tree coverage typical of the Piedmont region creating shading issues
• Pollen accumulation, particularly heavy during spring months in North Carolina
• Occasional severe weather including hail and high winds

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered. Proper site selection involves clearing adequate space around solar installations to prevent shading from trees, particularly considering future tree growth over the system's 25-year lifespan. Panel mounting systems should be designed to handle local weather conditions, including wind loads from thunderstorms and potential ice accumulation. Using quality mounting hardware rated for the region's weather extremes helps ensure long-term stability and performance. Regular maintenance becomes crucial in this environment. Installing panels at sufficient tilt angles helps with natural cleaning from rainfall, but periodic professional cleaning may be necessary during heavy pollen seasons. Easy access for maintenance should be incorporated into the system design. Monitoring systems can help identify performance issues quickly, whether from weather-related damage, excessive soiling, or shading problems. This allows for prompt corrective action to maintain optimal energy production throughout the year.

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 Dallas, North Carolina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3165, Longitude: -81.1762 (Dallas, 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 Dallas, North Carolina, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dallas, North Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 35.3165, -81.1762) 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, 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
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, North Carolina, United States

Topographical Features of the Dallas Area

The topography around Dallas, North Carolina presents a landscape characteristic of the western Piedmont region, where the terrain transitions from the rolling hills of the central Piedmont toward the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This area features gently undulating terrain with elevations typically ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level, creating a series of modest hills and shallow valleys that define the local geography.

The region displays the classic Piedmont topographical signature of weathered granite and metamorphic rock formations that have been shaped by millions of years of erosion. These geological processes have created a landscape of rounded hilltops and broad, gentle slopes rather than steep mountainous terrain. The area is dissected by numerous small creeks and streams that flow generally eastward, carving shallow valleys and creating natural drainage patterns throughout the region.

Forest cover dominates much of the natural landscape, with mixed hardwood and pine forests covering the hillsides and ridge tops. However, agricultural activities and residential development have created significant cleared areas, particularly in the valleys and on the more gently sloping hillsides. The combination of moderate slopes and cleared land creates favorable conditions for various types of development, including renewable energy installations.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations in this region would be found on the south-facing slopes of the rolling hills, where panels can take advantage of optimal solar exposure throughout the day. These gentle slopes, typically ranging from 2 to 8 degrees, provide natural drainage while maintaining accessibility for construction and maintenance equipment.

Agricultural areas in the broader valleys present excellent opportunities for solar development due to their relatively flat terrain and existing cleared status. These locations often feature large, unobstructed parcels of land that can accommodate extensive solar arrays without significant grading or tree removal. The gentle topography in these valley areas also facilitates the installation of tracking systems, which can follow the sun's path across the sky for improved energy capture.

Former agricultural land and pastures on the lower hillsides represent particularly attractive sites for solar development. These areas typically offer good drainage, established road access, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. The moderate slopes found in these locations can actually benefit solar installations by providing natural angles that complement panel positioning.

Ridge tops and plateau areas, while offering excellent exposure, may present challenges due to increased wind exposure and potential visibility concerns. However, some of these elevated locations could still prove viable for solar development, particularly where the terrain is relatively flat and access can be established without excessive environmental impact.

Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development include the steeper hillsides with grades exceeding 15 degrees, heavily forested areas that would require extensive clearing, and low-lying areas prone to flooding or poor drainage. The numerous small stream valleys, while scenic, would generally be unsuitable due to environmental sensitivities and potential flooding risks.

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.