Solar PV Analysis of Annapolis, United States
Annapolis, Maryland, United States, with its latitude of 38.9512 and longitude of -76.4944, is a suitable location for generating solar power throughout the year. In this northern temperate zone, seasonal variations in temperature and sunlight hours affect the average daily energy production per kW of installed solar panels.
During summer, higher temperatures and longer daylight hours contribute to an average energy production of 6.69 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. As autumn arrives, shorter days and cooler temperatures lead to a decrease in the average output to 4.08 kWh per kW. Winter experiences even lower temperatures and fewer daylight hours, resulting in a further reduction in the average energy production to 2.49 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. With the onset of spring, warmer temperatures and longer days return, leading to an increase in the average daily output to 5.95 kWh per kW.
For optimal performance at this location, fixed-panel installations should be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing southward.
It is important to consider local factors that may impact solar energy production at this location such as weather conditions or topography features that could obstruct sunlight reaching the panels directly or indirectly through reflection off clouds or precipitation particles respectively.
Cloudy days or heavy rainstorms can reduce energy generation by limiting sunlight exposure on the panels; however, proper installation techniques can help mitigate these effects by ensuring adequate spacing between panels and avoiding obstructions like trees or buildings that might cast shadows on them during peak sun hours.
In conclusion, Annapolis offers a suitable environment for generating solar power year-round with appropriate panel installation measures taken into account for maximizing efficiency despite seasonal fluctuations and potential local factors affecting sunlight exposure on panels.
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 Annapolis
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9512, Longitude: -76.4944 (Annapolis, 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 34° South in Annapolis, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Annapolis, United States (Lat/Long 38.9512, -76.4944) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Annapolis, 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 Annapolis, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 32° 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 Annapolis, 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 Annapolis, 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 Annapolis, United States
Annapolis, located in the U.S. state of Maryland, is characterized by a relatively flat to gently rolling topography. It's situated along the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River, with elevations ranging from sea level to about 50 feet above sea level in the city's highest points.
The area around Annapolis is primarily urban and suburban with residential properties, commercial areas, and some patches of forested and open green spaces. There are also several large bodies of water nearby including Chesapeake Bay to the east and numerous rivers and creeks.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open flat lands are generally more suitable as they provide unobstructed sunlight for maximum solar energy generation. In this context, areas outside the dense urban core of Annapolis could be more suitable for such projects.
However, it should be noted that suitability for solar PV isn't solely determined by topography but also factors like local climate (amount of sunshine), land use regulations (zoning laws), proximity to power grids (for electricity transmission), environmental considerations among others.
Areas with a lot of agricultural land or unused industrial sites could be potential locations for large scale solar PV installations due to their generally low levels of shading and high exposure to sunlight. However specific site assessments would need to be conducted before any definitive conclusions can be made.
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: Sunday 22nd of January 2023
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.
