Solar PV Analysis of Broadview Heights, United States
Broadview Heights, Ohio's location in the Northern Temperate Zone makes it a decent spot for solar energy production. However, its effectiveness varies greatly depending on the season.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity from solar panels. They can produce around 6.00 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in the summer and 5.40 kWh/day in the spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This means these are ideal times to harness solar energy at this location.
However, during autumn and winter, this output drops significantly due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. You might only get about 3.29 kWh/day in autumn and as low as 1.79 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.
To maximize year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Broadview Heights, it would be best to tilt your panels at an angle of 35 degrees towards the South if they're fixed installations.
As with any location though, there could be other factors that may impede your ability to generate electricity using solar power:
1) Weather: Broadview Heights experiences significant seasonal variation with potential heavy snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or even causing damage.
Preventative Measure: Regularly clear off snow from your panels or consider installing them at an angle that helps shed snow easier.
2) Shade: Tall trees or buildings around your property might cast shadows on your panels limiting their exposure to sunlight.
Preventative Measure: Try positioning your installation where it will receive maximum sun exposure throughout the day without obstruction from nearby structures or vegetation.
3) Dust & Debris: Accumulation of dust or fallen leaves can also reduce panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.
Preventative measure: Regular cleaning is essential especially during fall when leaves drop or during dry periods when dust can accumulate.
In conclusion, while Broadview Heights, Ohio isn't the most ideal location for solar energy generation due to its seasonal variation and potential weather challenges, with proper installation and regular maintenance, it's still possible to harness a good amount of solar power.
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 Broadview Heights
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.314, Longitude: -81.6756 (Broadview Heights, 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 Broadview Heights, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Broadview Heights, United States (Lat/Long 41.314, -81.6756) 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 Broadview Heights, 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 Broadview Heights, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Broadview Heights, 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 Broadview Heights, 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 Broadview Heights, United States
Broadview Heights, United States is located in the state of Ohio and features a relatively flat topography with gentle slopes. The area is predominantly suburban residential with patches of forested areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat lands are generally preferred as they allow for easy installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. In the vicinity of Broadview Heights, farmlands or other unused open spaces could be potential sites for such installations.
However, it's important to note that while topography is an important factor in determining suitability for solar PV installations, there are several other factors including local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids etc., which need to be considered as well. A detailed feasibility study would therefore be required before making any decisions.
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 14th 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.
