Solar PV Analysis of Ashtabula, United States
Ashtabula, Ohio, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 41.8768, -80.7836, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) systems. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Ashtabula peaks during the summer months, with an average daily output of 6.01 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.35 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.29 kWh/day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.75 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Ashtabula's solar potential is highly seasonal. The location is most suitable for solar energy generation from late spring through early fall, with summer being the prime season for maximum output.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Ashtabula, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, ensuring the best possible annual yield given the location's latitude and solar path.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors in Ashtabula can potentially impede solar production:
- Snow accumulation in winter months
- Cloud cover, particularly during autumn and winter
- Shorter daylight hours in winter
To mitigate these issues, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use high-efficiency panels to maximize production during cloudy periods
- Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove snow and debris
- Consider a ground-mounted system for easier maintenance access
While Ashtabula's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can still yield significant benefits, especially during the more productive months of the year.
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 Ashtabula
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.8768, Longitude: -80.7836 (Ashtabula, 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 Ashtabula, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ashtabula, United States (Lat/Long 41.8768, -80.7836) 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 Ashtabula, 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 Ashtabula, 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 | 45° 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 Ashtabula, 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 Ashtabula, 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 Ashtabula, United States
The topography around Ashtabula, Ohio, in the United States, is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This area is part of the Great Lakes region, situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie. The landscape has been shaped over time by glacial activity, resulting in a mix of low-lying areas and subtle elevations.
Ashtabula itself sits on a slight rise above the lake, with the land gradually sloping upward as you move south from the shoreline. The surrounding countryside features a blend of agricultural fields, woodlands, and small streams that feed into the Ashtabula River and other local waterways. The terrain is generally mild, without any dramatic changes in elevation or steep slopes.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be:
- Open, flat farmland: The rural areas south and southeast of Ashtabula offer expansive agricultural fields that could potentially be repurposed or dual-used for solar farms. These areas typically have minimal shading from trees or buildings and provide the large, uninterrupted spaces needed for substantial solar arrays.
- Gently sloping hillsides: Some of the rolling hills in the region, particularly those with a southern exposure, could be suitable for solar installations. These slight inclines can actually be beneficial, as they allow for optimal angling of solar panels towards the sun.
- Former industrial sites: Ashtabula has a history of industrial activity, and there may be brownfield sites or decommissioned industrial areas that could be repurposed for solar energy production. These locations often have existing infrastructure and are already zoned for development.
- Areas away from the immediate lakeshore: While the lakefront itself may not be ideal due to potential shading from lake-effect clouds, areas a few miles inland could offer a good balance of open space and reliable sunlight.
It's important to note that while the topography in this region is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as local zoning laws, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale solar installations.
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: Saturday 21st of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
