Solar PV Analysis of Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Greenville, South Carolina, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 34.9099 and longitude -82.4627 provides a good balance of sunlight exposure across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Greenville varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.58 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.15 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.48 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.93 kWh/day.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Greenville, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing south. This orientation ensures optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Peak Production Periods
The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Greenville are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when days are longest and sunlight is most intense. Spring months, particularly April and May, also offer excellent conditions for solar production. These periods provide the best opportunity to maximize energy output and potentially generate excess power for storage or grid feedback.
Environmental Considerations
While Greenville's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and rare instances of tropical storm impacts, can temporarily reduce solar output.
- Tree coverage in some areas of Greenville might create shading issues, potentially affecting solar panel efficiency.
Mitigation Strategies
To address these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following preventative measures during installation:
1. Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
2. Conduct a thorough site assessment to identify and mitigate potential shading issues, including strategic tree trimming if necessary and permitted.
3. Install robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds associated with severe weather events.
4. Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to ensure panels remain free from debris and operate at peak efficiency.
By addressing these factors, solar installations in Greenville can achieve optimal performance and reliability, making the most of the city's generally favorable conditions for solar energy production.
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, South Carolina
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.9099, Longitude: -82.4627 (Greenville, South 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 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greenville, South Carolina, United States (Lat/Long 34.9099, -82.4627) 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 Greenville, South 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 Greenville, South 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 | 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 Greenville, South 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 Greenville, South Carolina, 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 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Greenville, South Carolina, located at 34.9099°N and 82.4627°W, is situated in the upstate region of South Carolina, nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The topography around Greenville is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and some more pronounced elevations, creating a varied landscape that transitions from the piedmont to the mountain regions.
The city itself sits at an elevation of around 1,000 feet above sea level, but the surrounding areas feature both lower and higher elevations. To the northwest of Greenville, the terrain becomes more rugged as it approaches the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations increasing and the landscape becoming more forested. To the southeast, the land gradually flattens out as it moves towards the coastal plain of South Carolina.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors need to be considered. The ideal locations would generally be found in the flatter areas to the south and southeast of Greenville. These areas typically offer:
- More consistent, open terrain with fewer obstructions
- Generally lower elevations, which can mean less cloud cover and fog
- Larger tracts of available land that are not as heavily forested
- Easier access for construction and maintenance of solar facilities
Specific counties that might be well-suited for large-scale solar PV projects include parts of Anderson, Laurens, and Spartanburg counties. These areas often have a good balance of open, relatively flat land while still being close enough to Greenville and other population centers to make power transmission feasible.
However, it's important to note that site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as local zoning laws, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would all play a role in identifying the best sites for solar PV development in the region surrounding Greenville.
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: Thursday 22nd of August 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.
