Solar Energy Potential in Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck, North Dakota, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. The city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts its overall suitability for year-round solar power production. During the summer months, Bismarck's solar potential is quite promising, with an average daily output of 6.94kWh per kW of installed capacity. This high productivity makes it an excellent time for solar energy generation. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 5.40kWh per day. However, the picture changes dramatically in autumn and winter. Autumn sees a considerable drop in output to 3.44kWh per day, while winter experiences a sharp decline to just 1.95kWh per day. This substantial seasonal variation poses challenges for consistent year-round energy production.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bismarck, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 40 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the overall annual energy yield, taking into account the changing solar elevation throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental and weather factors can impact solar energy production in Bismarck: 1. Snow accumulation: Bismarck's winters can bring significant snowfall, which can cover solar panels and reduce their efficiency. To mitigate this, panels can be installed at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off, and regular snow removal may be necessary. 2. Extreme cold: Very low temperatures can affect the performance of solar panels and inverters. Using cold-resistant equipment and ensuring proper insulation of electrical components can help maintain efficiency. 3. Cloud cover: Bismarck experiences cloudy conditions, particularly in winter, which can reduce solar output. While this can't be prevented, using high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production even in less-than-ideal conditions. 4. Dust and pollen: The region's agricultural activities can lead to dust and pollen accumulation on panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help maintain optimal performance. While these factors present challenges, they are not insurmountable. With proper planning, equipment selection, and maintenance, solar energy can still be a viable option in Bismarck, particularly during the more productive spring and summer months.

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 Bismarck

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.8393, Longitude: -100.782 (Bismarck, 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 40° South in Bismarck, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bismarck, United States (Lat/Long 46.8393, -100.782) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
30° South in Summer	50° South in Autumn	61° South in Winter	39° 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 Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, United States

The topography around Bismarck, North Dakota, is characterized by gently rolling plains and prairies. The city itself sits on the eastern bank of the Missouri River, which has carved a wide valley through the landscape. The terrain is generally flat to slightly undulating, with occasional low hills and shallow valleys.

To the east of Bismarck, the land gradually rises into the Missouri Coteau, a region of hilly terrain formed by glacial activity. This area features numerous small lakes and wetlands. To the west, the landscape becomes more rugged as it transitions into the Badlands region, known for its steep cliffs, buttes, and colorful rock formations.

The immediate vicinity of Bismarck has an average elevation of around 1,680 feet (512 meters) above sea level. The topography is relatively consistent, with only minor variations in elevation throughout the urban area and its surroundings.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suitable would likely be found to the south and southwest of Bismarck. These regions tend to have more open, flat terrain with fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The land in these directions is predominantly used for agriculture, which could potentially be converted for solar energy production.

Ideal locations for solar farms would be on gently sloping south-facing hillsides, as these would receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. Areas to avoid would include the floodplains of the Missouri River and its tributaries, as well as any wetlands or conservation areas.

It's worth noting that while the topography around Bismarck is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as grid connectivity, land ownership, and local regulations would also need to be considered when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects.

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.