Solar Energy Potential in Greenville, Florida

Greenville, Florida, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 30.4694, -83.6302, offers promising conditions for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences varying levels of solar production across the seasons, with some notable peaks and valleys. Spring stands out as the most productive season in Greenville, with an impressive average of 6.33 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely behind at 5.83 kWh/day, making the warmer months generally favorable for solar energy production. Autumn production decreases somewhat to 4.79 kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest production period with 3.11 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For maximum year-round solar energy production in Greenville, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 27-degree tilt facing South. This specific angle has been determined through precise calculations that account for Greenville's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and Earth's elliptical orbit, weighted by the location's daily photovoltaic potential.

Seasonal Considerations

The substantial difference between spring/summer and winter production indicates that Greenville experiences significant seasonal variation in solar potential. Spring offers the peak production period, making March through May an excellent time for generating excess solar energy. The summer months of June through August also provide strong solar production despite occasional afternoon thunderstorms typical in Florida summers.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Greenville:

• Hurricane season (June through November) poses risks of severe storms and extended cloud cover, which can temporarily reduce solar output.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months in North Florida, potentially reducing daily production during otherwise peak months.
• Tree coverage in this rural area of North Florida can create shading issues if not properly addressed during installation.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Greenville despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be considered:

• Install hurricane-rated mounting systems designed to withstand high winds common during severe weather events.
• Implement microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from trees or cloudy conditions.
• Schedule regular panel cleaning to remove pollen (particularly heavy in spring) and other debris that can accumulate on panels.
• Consider slightly oversizing the system to compensate for the lower winter production if year-round consistent output is desired.

Overall, Greenville's location provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, particularly during spring and summer. While winter production drops significantly, the annual average remains suitable for cost-effective solar installations when properly designed and maintained.

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 Greenville, Florida

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.4694, Longitude: -83.6302 (Greenville, Florida, 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 27° South in Greenville, Florida, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greenville, Florida, United States (Lat/Long 30.4694, -83.6302) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Greenville, Florida, 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 Greenville, Florida, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
15° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	46° South in Winter	23° 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 Greenville, Florida, 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 Greenville, Florida, 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 Greenville, Florida, United States

Greenville, located in Madison County, Florida, is nestled in the northern part of the state near the Georgia border. The topography of this region is characterized by gently rolling hills, a feature that distinguishes it from the predominantly flat terrain found throughout much of Florida. This area is part of what's known as the Northern Highlands physiographic region, where elevations typically range between 100 to 200 feet above sea level. The landscape around Greenville features a mix of agricultural fields, pine forests, and scattered wetlands. The natural contours of the land have been shaped by the region's numerous creeks and small rivers, which have carved shallow valleys throughout the area over time. The Aucilla River flows nearby to the east, while smaller waterways like Little Aucilla River and various creeks create natural drainage systems throughout the region.

Solar PV Potential Areas

Several characteristics make certain areas around Greenville particularly suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The gently sloping terrain to the south and west of Greenville offers ideal conditions for solar development. These areas provide naturally south-facing slopes that can maximize solar exposure throughout the day, a critical factor for optimizing energy production. Agricultural lands that are currently underutilized or fallow present excellent opportunities for solar development. These open spaces typically have already been cleared of trees and vegetation that might otherwise cast shadows on solar panels. Many of these areas also have existing access roads and are located near utility infrastructure, reducing development costs. The slightly elevated plateaus found throughout Madison County also merit consideration for solar installations. These higher grounds typically experience less morning fog and have better drainage during Florida's rainy season, both factors that can enhance solar panel efficiency and longevity. Areas to avoid would include the numerous wetlands and floodplains associated with the region's waterways. These locations present environmental challenges and potential flooding risks that could compromise solar infrastructure. Similarly, the more densely forested sections would require significant clearing, increasing both environmental impact and project costs. The northwestern portion of Madison County, extending from Greenville toward the community of Pinetta, features some of the most promising terrain for large-scale solar development. This area combines favorable topography with proximity to existing transmission infrastructure, making it particularly attractive for utility-scale 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!

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.