Solar Energy Potential in Bountiful, Utah

The city of Bountiful, Utah, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 40.8792° N latitude and 111.8686° W longitude, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel efficiency in Bountiful varies considerably across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 7.86 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.74 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 4.18 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.65 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Bountiful's solar potential is strongest from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production. However, the substantial drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bountiful, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Bountiful generally provides good conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Snow accumulation: Bountiful receives significant snowfall during winter months, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. To mitigate this, panels can be installed at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off, or snow removal systems can be implemented. 2. Air quality: The Salt Lake Valley, where Bountiful is located, sometimes experiences inversions that trap pollutants, potentially reducing solar irradiance. Regular panel cleaning can help maintain efficiency. 3. Mountain shadows: Bountiful's proximity to mountains may cause early shading in some areas, particularly during winter when the sun angle is lower. Careful site selection and panel placement can minimize this impact. By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Bountiful can achieve optimal performance and provide a significant contribution to the area's renewable energy portfolio.

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 Bountiful

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.8792, Longitude: -111.8686 (Bountiful, 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 35° South in Bountiful, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bountiful, United States (Lat/Long 40.8792, -111.8686) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Bountiful, 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 Bountiful, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	45° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Bountiful, 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 Bountiful, 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 Bountiful, United States

Bountiful, located in Davis County, Utah, is nestled in a unique topographical setting that combines mountainous terrain with flat valley areas. The city sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, which rise dramatically to the east, creating a striking backdrop for the community. These mountains, part of the larger Rocky Mountain range, feature steep slopes and rugged peaks that reach elevations of over 9,000 feet above sea level. To the west of Bountiful, the landscape transitions into the relatively flat Great Salt Lake Valley. This area is characterized by gentle slopes and expansive plains that stretch towards the Great Salt Lake itself. The valley floor is primarily composed of sedimentary deposits left behind by ancient Lake Bonneville, which once covered much of western Utah.

Topographical Features

The transition between the mountains and the valley creates a series of benches or terraces, upon which much of Bountiful is built. These benches offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Great Salt Lake to the west. Several creeks and small canyons cut through the area, creating natural drainage systems that flow from the mountains towards the valley. The varied topography of the region has a significant impact on local microclimates, with higher elevations generally experiencing cooler temperatures and more precipitation than the valley floor. This diversity in elevation and climate contributes to the area's ecological richness, supporting a variety of plant and animal species.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, the flat, open spaces of the Great Salt Lake Valley to the west of Bountiful present the most promising opportunities. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the relatively level terrain of the valley floor provides ample space for the installation of large solar arrays without the need for extensive land grading or modification. This can significantly reduce construction costs and environmental impact. Secondly, the open nature of the valley means there are fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The lack of tall vegetation or buildings in many parts of the valley contributes to optimal solar energy capture. Lastly, the region's high elevation and typically clear skies result in excellent solar insolation levels, making it well-suited for photovoltaic energy production. The semi-arid climate of the area also means there are many sunny days throughout the year, further enhancing the potential for solar energy generation. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly given the sensitive ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake and surrounding wetlands. Proper site selection and environmental assessments would be crucial to ensure that solar projects are developed sustainably and in harmony with the local environment.

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.