Solar PV Analysis of Benson, United States
Benson, Arizona is a pretty good spot for generating energy through solar panels year-round. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of solar power installed varies by season. In summer, you can expect about 7.30 kilowatt-hours per day, in autumn it's around 5.65 kilowatt-hours per day, in winter it drops to about 4.42 kilowatt-hours per day and then jumps up to around 8.14 kilowatt-hours per day in spring.
So if we look at these numbers, the best times for generating solar energy are during the spring and summer months when the days are longer and sunlight is more abundant.
If you're planning on installing fixed panel solar installation here, tilting your panels at an angle facing 29 degrees South will give you the most bang for your buck over the course of a year.
There might be some local factors that could affect how much energy your solar panels generate though. For example, Benson does experience occasional dust storms which could cover your panels and reduce their efficiency temporarily until they're cleaned off again.
Also keep in mind that like any other place on earth, there will be cloudy or rainy days where less sunlight reaches your panels - but overall Arizona has more sunny days than not so this shouldn’t be too big of an issue.
To prevent dust or debris from affecting performance too much , regular cleaning would help ensure greater energy production from your system throughout the year regardless of weather conditions.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Benson
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.9866, Longitude: -110.2928 (Benson, 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 29° South in Benson, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Benson, United States (Lat/Long 31.9866, -110.2928) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Benson, 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 Benson, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 47° South in Winter | 25° 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 Benson, 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 Benson, 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 Benson, United States
Benson, United States is located in the state of Arizona. The topography around Benson is characterized by a mix of flat desert plains and rugged mountain ranges. The area has an elevation of about 3,586 feet (1,093 meters) above sea level.
Given its location in the Southwest region of the U.S., Benson experiences a hot desert climate with high solar irradiance levels throughout the year. This makes it highly suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Benson would be:
1. Flat Desert Plains: These areas are ideal due to their vast expanses that can accommodate large arrays of solar panels and because they receive ample sunlight exposure without any physical obstruction like mountains or tall buildings.
2. Abandoned agricultural lands: Such lands could be repurposed for renewable energy generation as they are usually flat and clear from obstructions.
3. Rooftops in urban areas: Although not exactly "large scale", utilizing rooftops for installing smaller PV systems can collectively contribute significantly to power generation while also optimizing land use.
It’s important to note that environmental studies should be conducted prior to installation to ensure minimal impact on local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
However, considering factors such as proximity to transmission lines, availability of grid infrastructure, access roads for maintenance purposes etc., is also crucial when determining suitability locations for 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 28th of March 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.
