Solar PV Analysis of Boise, United States
Boise, Idaho, in the United States is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, how much electricity you can produce varies depending on the season.
In simple terms, if you have a 1 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system installed in Boise:
- During summer months, it's expected to generate around 7.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day.
- In autumn that number drops to about 3.87 kWh/day.
- Winter sees further decrease with only about 1.98 kWh/day produced due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
- Spring sees an increase again with approximately 6.63 kWh/day generated.
So overall, summer and spring are ideal times for generating solar power at this location because there's more sunlight available.
For fixed panel installations here, tilting panels at an angle of 37 degrees facing south helps maximize total annual production from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems because it aligns them well with the sun’s path across the sky during different seasons.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect solar production in Boise:
1. Weather: Boise experiences all four seasons including snowy winters which may reduce output due to snow accumulation on panels or fewer sunny days.
2. Dust and debris: Dust or other debris settling on panels can block sunlight and reduce efficiency.
3. Shade: Buildings or trees casting shadows on your panels will also limit their productivity.
To mitigate these issues:
- Regular cleaning of panels can help maintain their efficiency by removing dust or other debris blocking sunlight.
- If snowfall is heavy and frequent during winter months then considering a system where panels are easily accessible for clearing off snow would be beneficial.
- Lastly ensuring your installation site has minimal shading throughout the day will improve your system's performance year-round.
Remember though that while these measures can help optimize output they cannot completely eliminate the effects of seasonal variations in sunlight availability.
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 Boise
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.6342, Longitude: -116.341 (Boise, 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 37° South in Boise, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Boise, United States (Lat/Long 43.6342, -116.341) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Boise, 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 Boise, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 36° 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 Boise, 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 Boise, 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 Boise, United States
Boise, Idaho is located in the northwestern United States and sits within a valley. The topography of Boise is characterized by flat plains to the west and rugged mountains to the east and north. The Boise River also runs through the city.
The Snake River Plain to the southwest of Boise is a large, flat area that receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year. This area would be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to its relatively flat terrain and high solar potential.
In addition, areas outside of Boise which are less densely populated such as Kuna or Nampa could also be suitable for large-scale solar projects due to available land space.
However, it's important to note that while these areas might be geographically suited for solar PV installations, other factors such as local regulations, environmental impact considerations, grid connectivity and economic feasibility would also need to be considered before implementing any largescale renewable energy project.
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: Tuesday 21st of May 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.
