Solar PV Analysis of Bladensburg, United States
Bladensburg, Maryland, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and reduced output in winter.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panels in Bladensburg can expect to generate the most electricity during summer, with an average daily output of 6.69 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 5.95 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.08 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.49 kWh/day.
The substantial variation between seasons indicates that Bladensburg's solar potential is heavily influenced by the changing sun angles and daylight hours throughout the year. The location's latitude of approximately 38.9° North contributes to these seasonal fluctuations.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bladensburg, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across all seasons, compensating for the sun's changing position in the sky.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Bladensburg's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact system performance:
- Snow accumulation in winter months may temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional severe weather events, such as hurricanes or strong thunderstorms, could pose risks to solar installations
To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Bladensburg should incorporate robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Additionally, panels should be installed at an angle that facilitates natural snow shedding, and regular maintenance should include snow removal when necessary.
Despite these considerations, Bladensburg's location remains suitable for solar energy production, with ample sunlight available throughout most of the year. By optimizing panel placement and addressing potential environmental factors, solar installations in this area can achieve consistent and reliable energy generation.
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 Bladensburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9438, Longitude: -76.926 (Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bladensburg, United States (Lat/Long 38.9438, -76.926) 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 Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, United States
The topography around Bladensburg, Maryland, in the United States, is generally characterized by gently rolling terrain with relatively low elevations. This area is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which means it has a mostly flat to slightly undulating landscape. The town itself sits at an elevation of about 30 feet (9 meters) above sea level.
The surrounding region features a mix of urban and suburban development, interspersed with patches of woodland and open spaces. The Anacostia River flows through Bladensburg, creating some minor variations in the local topography along its banks. To the west, the land gradually rises towards Washington D.C., while to the east, it remains relatively flat as it extends towards the Chesapeake Bay.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations would have the following characteristics:
- Open, flat or gently sloping land with minimal shading from trees or buildings
- Good sun exposure throughout the day, particularly facing south
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easy grid connection
- Areas that are not prime agricultural land or ecologically sensitive
Given these criteria, some potential areas near Bladensburg that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations could include:
- Former industrial sites or brownfields in the surrounding urban areas
- Large, open spaces such as defunct golf courses or underutilized commercial properties
- Portions of agricultural land that are less productive or have been set aside
- Rooftops of large commercial or industrial buildings in nearby business parks
It's important to note that specific site selection would require detailed environmental and feasibility studies, as well as compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. Additionally, the relatively dense urban and suburban development in this area may limit opportunities for very large-scale solar installations, making smaller distributed solar projects more feasible.
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: Sunday 22nd of September 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.
