Solar PV Analysis of Allentown, United States
Allentown, Pennsylvania, which is located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, can be considered a decent location for generating solar energy all year round. However, it's not ideal due to variations in electricity output throughout different seasons.
In simpler terms, during summer and spring months you'll get more electricity from your solar panels because they produce about 5.99 and 5.36 kilowatt-hours per day respectively for each installed kilowatt. On the other hand, during autumn and winter months your panels will generate less power - about 3.43 and 2.14 kilowatt-hours per day respectively.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be in summer when sunlight is most abundant followed by spring.
If you're planning on installing fixed panel solar PV here, tilting them at an angle of 35 degrees towards the South would ensure maximum production throughout the year as it allows optimal exposure to sunlight.
However, there could be certain factors like weather or local environmental conditions that might affect your solar power generation here. For example:
1) Allentown experiences snowy winters which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency.
2) It also has cloudy days especially during fall and winter which may limit sun exposure.
3) Trees or tall buildings nearby could potentially block sunlight if they cast a shadow over your panels.
To overcome these challenges:
1) You can install snow guards or use brooms with soft bristles to gently remove snow off of panels.
2) Consider investing in high-efficiency modules that perform better under low light conditions.
3) Ensure proper site assessment before installation to avoid shade issues from trees/buildings etc., or consider trimming tree branches if possible without harming overall health of tree.
Remember though that while these measures help improve productivity they won't completely eliminate effects caused by such factors but rather mitigate them so you still get a decent return on investment from your solar installation in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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 Allentown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.5885, Longitude: -75.4642 (Allentown, 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 35° South in Allentown, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Allentown, United States (Lat/Long 40.5885, -75.4642) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Allentown, 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 Allentown, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 33° 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 Allentown, 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 Allentown, 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 Allentown, United States
Allentown is located in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, United States. The topography of this area is characterized by rolling hills and valleys. The city itself is situated along the Lehigh River, which runs through a large valley surrounded by ridges and mountains to the north and south.
Regarding solar PV potential, flat or gently sloping areas are generally most suitable for large-scale solar installations as they minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. It's important to consider that while Allentown has a mix of sunnier and cloudier days throughout the year, it still receives enough sunlight for solar power generation.
Areas outside Allentown with less dense populations or industrial use could be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to availability of space without obstruction from buildings or other structures. For instance, agricultural lands around Allentown such as those found towards Breinigsville (to the west) might be viable options if they are not being fully utilized for farming purposes.
However, any decision about where to install a large-scale solar facility should also take into account factors like local zoning regulations, proximity to existing power grids (for ease of connection), environmental impacts on local ecosystems/biodiversity etc., besides just physical suitability based on topography alone.
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 19th 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.
