Bowman, North Dakota in the United States offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this specific location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy output at this location shows marked seasonal differences. During summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 6.97kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.38kWh/day per installed kilowatt. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 3.41kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest generation period with only 1.91kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

This pattern clearly indicates that Bowman's solar potential peaks during the warmer months of late spring through summer (approximately May through August), when the sun's path is higher in the sky and days are longer. The substantial drop in winter production suggests that supplementary energy sources would be beneficial during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Bowman, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 39 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize the annual solar harvest based on Bowman's latitude of approximately 46.18° North.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Bowman could potentially impact solar production:

• Snow accumulation during North Dakota's harsh winters can significantly reduce panel output by blocking sunlight. Installing panels at the recommended 39-degree tilt helps shed snow more effectively than flatter installations.
• Extreme cold temperatures, while actually beneficial for panel efficiency, can create issues with other system components. Using cold-rated equipment and proper insulation for batteries and inverters is advisable.
• Dust and agricultural particulates common in rural North Dakota can gradually reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning maintenance should be scheduled, especially after extended dry periods.
• Occasional severe weather including hailstorms poses a risk to panel integrity. Selecting impact-resistant panels rated for hail is strongly recommended for this region.

Despite these challenges, the strong summer and spring production makes Bowman a viable location for solar PV, particularly if the system is designed with these seasonal variations in mind. Complementary energy sources or adequate storage solutions would be valuable additions to ensure year-round energy security.

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 Bowman

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.1831, Longitude: -103.3949 (Bowman, 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 39° South in Bowman, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bowman, United States (Lat/Long 46.1831, -103.3949) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Bowman, 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 Bowman, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
29° South in Summer	50° South in Autumn	60° 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 Bowman, 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 Bowman, 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 Bowman, United States

The region surrounding Bowman, located in North Dakota near the border with South Dakota, presents a distinctive topography characteristic of the northern Great Plains. This area features gently rolling prairie landscapes with open, expansive terrain that gradually transitions between subtle hills and shallow valleys. The elevation around Bowman sits approximately 3,000 feet above sea level, positioning it within what geographers refer to as the Missouri Plateau section of the Great Plains. The landscape exhibits a mix of grassland prairie and agricultural fields, with minimal tree cover except along watercourses and in sheltered areas. The terrain has been shaped by ancient glacial activity and ongoing erosion processes, resulting in a moderately undulating surface rather than perfectly flat plains. Occasional buttes and small plateaus rise from the surrounding countryside, creating local high points that stand in contrast to the otherwise level horizon.

Hydrological Features

The Grand River and its tributaries form part of the drainage system in the vicinity, carving shallow valleys through the prairie. These waterways generally flow eastward, eventually joining the Missouri River system. Throughout the area, small creeks and seasonal streams create minor topographical variations. During spring thaw and after heavy rainfall, these watercourses can become more prominent features in the landscape. Several small lakes and reservoirs dot the region, some natural and others created for agricultural purposes. These water bodies typically occupy depressions in the terrain and contribute to the local ecological diversity.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The gently sloping terrain south and southwest of Bowman presents particularly favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas benefit from several advantageous characteristics: The slightly elevated plateaus approximately 5-10 miles south of Bowman offer ideal settings for solar development. These locations feature minimal slope angles (generally less than 5 degrees), reducing the need for extensive grading during construction. The predominantly south-facing aspects of these gentle slopes naturally optimize solar exposure throughout the day. The expansive, open areas extending westward toward Montana also demonstrate excellent potential for solar development. These regions contain large tracts of contiguous land with minimal obstructions that would cast shadows. The relatively sparse vegetation and agricultural use in certain sections mean less land clearing would be required for installation. Areas northeast of Bowman, while still suitable, might present slightly more topographical variation requiring additional site preparation. However, the broad, flat sections between the minor drainages still offer considerable potential for solar array placement.

Topographical Considerations

The modest elevation changes throughout the region generally do not pose significant challenges for solar development. Most slopes remain gentle enough that standard mounting systems can be employed without requiring specialized designs. The primary topographical limitations would be associated with the occasional steeper draws and ravines that form around watercourses. The open nature of the landscape does expose the area to wind, which must be factored into structural designs for solar arrays. However, this same characteristic ensures minimal shading from natural features, maximizing potential solar capture throughout the day. The soil composition, primarily consisting of prairie soils developed on sedimentary bedrock, generally provides adequate stability for foundation systems, though specific site assessments would be necessary to confirm suitability at any given location.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.