Solar PV Analysis of Adel, United States
The location at Adel, Iowa in the United States is moderately suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from sunlight varies with each season due to changes in daylight hours and sun intensity.
During summer, you can expect the highest solar energy production of about 7 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar panels. This is because summer days are longer and usually have more direct sunlight. In spring, you could get about 5.37 kWh/day which is also quite good.
However, during autumn and winter, the output reduces significantly due to shorter days and less intense sunlight; it drops to around 3.75 kWh/day in autumn and further down to 2.63kWh/day in winter.
To maximize total annual electricity production from your solar panels at this location, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of approximately 36 degrees. This position helps capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
As far as environmental or local factors that might affect solar production at this location are concerned: Adel experiences a mix of cloudy and sunny days throughout the year which may slightly impact overall productivity but not significantly enough to deter installation.
Also worth noting is that Iowa does experience some severe weather events like thunderstorms or tornadoes which could potentially damage your panels if not properly protected or installed securely. To prevent such damages always ensure professional installation with sturdy mounting systems designed for high wind loads.
In terms of snowfall during winter months - while snow on panels will reduce their output temporarily until it melts off or is removed manually; most modern panels are designed so that snow slides off easily once it starts melting due to panel's smooth surface and tilted angle design (like our suggested tilt angle). So while winters may see reduced outputs due to fewer daylight hours; actual impact from snowfall isn't significant enough over long term averages unless area is prone to heavy and regular snowfalls.
Thus, while Adel, Iowa might not be the absolute ideal location for solar energy production due to seasonal variations and some weather-related challenges; it still offers a good potential for harnessing solar power with right installation practices.
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 Adel
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6212, Longitude: -94.0331 (Adel, 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 36° South in Adel, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Adel, United States (Lat/Long 41.6212, -94.0331) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Adel, 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 Adel, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Adel, 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 Adel, 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 Adel, United States
Adel, United States is located in the state of Iowa and it's characterized by a mix of flat and gently rolling terrain. The area is primarily rural with large expanses of farmland which could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations.
The most suited areas for large scale solar PV around Adel would likely be the open, flat agricultural lands. These areas provide ample sun exposure and are relatively easy to build on compared to more hilly or forested regions. Also, these spaces are typically away from residential areas reducing potential conflicts over land use.
However, it should be noted that successful implementation of large-scale solar projects not only depends on topography but also factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), grid connectivity, local regulations regarding renewable energy projects and public acceptance among others. Therefore comprehensive feasibility studies would need to be conducted before finalizing any location for such 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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 18th of April 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.
