Solar PV Analysis of Ann Arbor, United States
Ann Arbor, Michigan is a decent place for solar energy production, but it's not the best. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels varies throughout the year. During summer and spring, you can expect to produce quite a bit of electricity - 6.32 kilowatt-hours per day in the summer and 5.38 kilowatt-hours per day in the spring for each kilowatt of solar panel installed. However, during autumn and winter, this drops down to 3.19 kilowatt-hours and 1.98 kilowatt-hours respectively.
This means that if you're planning on using solar power in Ann Arbor, your system will work best during spring and summer when there are more daylight hours with stronger sunlight intensity.
To make sure your panels get as much sun as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of about 36 degrees facing south (if we assume that directly overhead is zero degrees). This position allows them to capture maximum sunlight as it moves across the sky.
In terms of environmental or local factors that could affect solar production in Ann Arbor: Michigan sees a fair amount of cloud cover throughout different seasons which might reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels; also winters can bring snowfall which could cover up your panels blocking out sunlight completely until cleared off.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Consider installing a tracking system on your solar panels so they follow the sun's path across the sky increasing their exposure time.
2) Have an effective cleaning routine especially after snowfalls or heavy dust storms to keep your panels clear for maximum absorption.
3) Installing additional capacity may offset lower production periods like cloudy days or during winter months since even diffused light generates some power albeit less than direct sunshine does.
Remember though every situation differs based on specific location conditions among other factors so consulting with local experts before installation would be beneficial too!
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 3033 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 Ann Arbor
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.2807, Longitude: -83.7801 (Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ann Arbor, United States (Lat/Long 42.2807, -83.7801) 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, United States
Ann Arbor, located in the southeastern region of Michigan, United States, is characterized by a generally flat terrain with some rolling hills. The city is part of the Huron River watershed and has numerous parks and forests.
As for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, large-scale projects would ideally require vast open spaces with ample sunlight exposure. Considering this, rural areas surrounding Ann Arbor could be suitable for such projects due to their availability of open land. Areas to the west or south may particularly be beneficial as they are less densely populated and have more agricultural lands that could potentially accommodate large-scale solar farms.
Another potential area could be unused industrial lands within the city itself or nearby towns like Ypsilanti or Pittsfield Township which might have available rooftops or brownfield sites that can host PV systems.
However, it's important to note that while topography and sun exposure are key factors in deciding where to install solar panels, there are many other considerations including local zoning laws, environmental impact assessments and grid connectivity among others. Therefore thorough research should be conducted before embarking on such a project.
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: Monday 25th of March 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
