Burke, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Burke, with an average daily output of 6.44 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.70 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, dropping to 3.95 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with output falling to just 2.41 kWh/day per kW installed.

These figures indicate that Burke experiences a wide range of solar productivity throughout the year. The substantial difference between summer and winter output highlights the need for careful system sizing to ensure adequate energy production during less favorable months.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Burke, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high sun angles of summer with the lower angles of winter.

Environmental Considerations

While Burke's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors that could impact system performance:

• Tree cover: Burke's suburban landscape often includes mature trees, which can cast shadows on solar panels and reduce their efficiency.
• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce panel output, although the panels' tilt often helps with snow shedding.

To mitigate these issues, careful site assessment is crucial. This may involve strategic tree trimming or removal, and ensuring panels are installed at an angle that facilitates snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels can help maximize production in limited space or partially shaded areas.

Conclusion

Overall, Burke, Virginia presents a viable location for solar PV installations, with strong potential during spring and summer months. While winter production is notably lower, proper system design and installation practices can help ensure consistent energy generation throughout the year.

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 Burke

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7913, Longitude: -77.2806 (Burke, 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 Burke, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burke, United States (Lat/Long 38.7913, -77.2806) 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 Burke, 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 Burke, 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
22° 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 Burke, 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 Burke, 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 Burke, United States

The area around Burke, Virginia in the United States is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Piedmont region. This transitional zone between the flat coastal plain to the east and the more rugged Appalachian Mountains to the west features a mix of low-lying areas and modest elevations. The landscape is dotted with numerous streams and small creeks that wind their way through the terrain, creating a network of minor watersheds. Burke itself sits at an elevation of around 300 feet above sea level, with the surrounding area varying between approximately 200 and 400 feet. The topography is generally mild, with gradual slopes rather than steep inclines. This rolling landscape is largely the result of millions of years of erosion, which has worn down what were once more dramatic geological features.

Vegetation and Land Use

The natural vegetation of the region consists primarily of deciduous forests, though much of the area has been developed for residential and commercial use. The remaining wooded areas are interspersed with open spaces, including parks, golf courses, and some agricultural land.

Suitability for Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar development, as it provides options for south-facing slopes that can maximize sun exposure. However, the extensive forest cover and suburban development in the immediate vicinity of Burke present challenges for finding large, open areas suitable for utility-scale solar farms. The most promising locations for large-scale solar PV in the region would likely be found further west or south, where there may be more expansive areas of cleared land. Former agricultural fields or brownfield sites in less densely populated areas would be ideal candidates. These locations would offer the necessary space for large arrays of solar panels while minimizing the need for extensive land clearing or disruption to residential areas. It's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and community concerns. The proximity to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area means that land use is often tightly regulated, and available open space is at a premium. Therefore, the most suitable areas for solar PV development may be found at some distance from Burke itself, potentially in more rural parts of Virginia where larger tracts of suitable land might be available.

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.