Bargersville, Indiana, United States, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar electricity production that potential solar panel owners should understand.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Bargersville produce their highest output during summer months, generating approximately 6.20kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.47kWh/day per kW. Production drops considerably in autumn to 3.68kWh/day per kW, while winter represents the lowest production period with only 2.13kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

This seasonal pattern means Bargersville solar installations will produce nearly three times more energy in summer than in winter months. The significant difference highlights the importance of properly sizing a system to meet year-round energy needs, particularly if winter electricity demands are high.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed-panel solar installations in Bargersville, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle represents the mathematically optimal position that balances seasonal solar variations throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors in Bargersville may affect solar production:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce output, requiring occasional panel clearing or the installation of panels at steeper angles to promote snow sliding
• Moderate tree coverage in the region may create shading issues, necessitating thoughtful placement and possibly tree trimming
• Indiana's cloudy winter days contribute to the lower winter production figures, emphasizing the need for proper system sizing

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Bargersville should incorporate microinverters or power optimizers that minimize production losses from partial shading. Additionally, mounting hardware that allows for adequate airflow beneath panels can reduce snow accumulation time and improve performance during hot summer days.

Despite these seasonal variations, Bargersville's location still provides sufficient solar resources to make photovoltaic systems viable, especially during the productive spring and summer months when electricity production substantially exceeds the annual average.

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 Bargersville

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.5194, Longitude: -86.1534 (Bargersville, 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 Bargersville, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bargersville, United States (Lat/Long 39.5194, -86.1534) 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 Bargersville, 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 Bargersville, 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 Bargersville, 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 Bargersville, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Bargersville, United States

The landscape surrounding Bargersville, Indiana, is characterized by gently rolling terrain, typical of the Central Till Plain physiographic region of the Midwest. This area was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in a mostly flat to moderately undulating topography. Bargersville sits at an elevation of approximately 800 feet (244 meters) above sea level, with minimal variation in the immediate vicinity. The region features a mix of agricultural fields, scattered woodlands, and suburban development. The soil composition is predominantly glacial till, which consists of clay, silt, sand, and gravel deposits left behind by retreating glaciers. These soils generally provide stable ground conditions without extreme slopes or unstable areas.

Hydrological Features

Several small streams and drainage ways cross the area around Bargersville, including tributaries that eventually connect to the White River system. These waterways have created shallow valleys in the otherwise relatively level landscape. No major lakes or large bodies of water exist in the immediate vicinity of Bargersville, though some small ponds and retention basins are scattered throughout the area.

Land Use Patterns

The land surrounding Bargersville has historically been dominated by agricultural use, with significant portions dedicated to row crops like corn and soybeans. In recent decades, suburban development has expanded from the Indianapolis metropolitan area, gradually converting some farmland to residential and commercial purposes. Despite this development, substantial agricultural land remains available in the broader region.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Bargersville would be the expansive agricultural fields that feature minimal slope, good drainage, and limited shading. Specifically, the agricultural lands to the south and west of Bargersville offer several advantages: These areas typically have slopes of less than 3%, which is ideal for solar array installation as it minimizes grading requirements and associated costs. The predominantly east-west orientation of many field sections allows for optimal solar panel positioning with southern exposure. The agricultural fields also benefit from minimal natural obstructions that would cast shadows. With few tall trees or topographical features to create shading issues, these areas can maximize solar collection throughout the day. The existing road network provides reasonable access for construction and maintenance activities.

Considerations for Development

While the topography is generally favorable, potential solar developers should note that some areas may require modest drainage improvements due to the relatively high clay content in the soil. The flat nature of the terrain can occasionally lead to standing water after heavy precipitation events. The western portions of Johnson County, where Bargersville is located, offer particularly promising sites due to their combination of suitable topography, existing agricultural use (which simplifies land conversion), and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure that can accommodate power feed-in. Areas to potentially avoid include the more developed corridors along State Road 135 and the limited sections with steeper slopes near stream valleys, as these would require more extensive site preparation and might face greater regulatory scrutiny due to potential runoff and erosion concerns.

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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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.