Solar Energy Potential in Burtonsville, Maryland

Burtonsville, Maryland, United States offers variable potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal patterns in solar energy production that prospective solar panel owners should understand. The seasonal variation in solar energy production at this location is quite pronounced. During summer months, solar panels can generate approximately 6.41kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.60kWh/day. Autumn yields a moderate 3.71kWh/day, while winter production drops significantly to just 2.19kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This pattern creates a clear picture of when solar energy is most abundant in Burtonsville. The May through August period represents the peak production window, with gradually diminishing returns through autumn. Winter months (December through February) show the lowest production levels, before the system begins ramping up again in March and April.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Burtonsville, the ideal tilt angle is 34 degrees facing South. This specific angle maximizes year-round energy production by optimizing the panels' exposure to the sun's changing position throughout the seasons. This calculation accounts for Earth's elliptical orbit and the specific latitude of Burtonsville to determine the most efficient fixed position.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Burtonsville:

• Snowfall during winter months can temporarily reduce production if allowed to accumulate on panels
• Tree coverage is significant in parts of Burtonsville and surrounding Montgomery County, potentially creating shade issues
• Occasional severe weather events including thunderstorms and hurricanes may temporarily affect system performance

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Burtonsville should incorporate several preventative measures. Panels should be installed with sufficient tilt to help shed snow naturally. A thorough shade analysis should be conducted prior to installation, with strategic tree trimming where necessary. Additionally, quality mounting systems rated for local wind conditions will provide protection during severe weather events. Despite these considerations, Burtonsville's location still provides sufficient solar resources to make photovoltaic systems viable, particularly when properly designed to account for seasonal variations and local environmental factors.

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 Burtonsville

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.1112, Longitude: -76.9325 (Burtonsville, 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 Burtonsville, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burtonsville, United States (Lat/Long 39.1112, -76.9325) 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 Burtonsville, 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 Burtonsville, 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
23° 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 Burtonsville, 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 Burtonsville, 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 Burtonsville, United States

The topography around Burtonsville, Maryland reflects the transition zone between the Piedmont Plateau and the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic provinces. This unincorporated community in Montgomery County sits at an elevation of approximately 400 feet (122 meters) above sea level, featuring gently rolling hills and modest valleys typical of the eastern Piedmont region. The landscape is characterized by moderately undulating terrain with gradual slopes rather than dramatic relief. The area contains numerous small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys through the landscape over time. Most prominent among these is the Patuxent River, which forms part of the eastern boundary of Montgomery County and flows in a generally north-to-south direction east of Burtonsville.

Surrounding Topographic Features

To the west of Burtonsville, the land gradually rises toward the Piedmont Plateau, with more pronounced hills and slightly higher elevations. The terrain becomes more varied with increasing distance westward toward the Appalachian Mountains, though the immediate vicinity maintains its gently rolling character. To the east, the land transitions toward the flatter Atlantic Coastal Plain. This gradual flattening continues as one moves eastward toward the Chesapeake Bay. The transition zone where Burtonsville sits is sometimes called the "fall line," marking where many rivers drop from the harder rock of the Piedmont to the softer sediments of the Coastal Plain. The area features a mix of developed land, suburban communities, agricultural fields, and forested sections. The tree cover is substantial in undeveloped areas, with deciduous forests dominating the natural landscape. These wooded areas tend to follow stream valleys and steeper slopes less suitable for development.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several nearby areas present favorable conditions based on topographic considerations: The agricultural lands to the northeast of Burtonsville, extending into Howard County, offer some of the most suitable terrain for large-scale solar development. These areas feature relatively flat to gently sloping fields with minimal shading from topographic features. Many of these lands have already been cleared for agriculture, reducing the environmental impact and cost of site preparation. Areas along the I-95 corridor south of Burtonsville also present opportunities for solar development. This region features some commercial and industrial zones with large roof surfaces and vacant parcels with favorable southern exposure. The relatively flat terrain in this area minimizes earthwork requirements for installation. The region east of Burtonsville, as it transitions toward the Coastal Plain, generally offers more level terrain that would require less grading and site preparation for large-scale installations. These areas typically receive good solar exposure due to the less varied topography causing fewer shadowing effects. Some considerations for solar development in the region include the need to avoid the numerous stream valleys and associated wetland areas, which are environmentally sensitive and subject to regulatory protection. Additionally, the moderate tree cover in the region means that clearing might be necessary for some potential sites, adding to development costs and environmental considerations. The most optimal sites would be those combining relatively level terrain, minimal environmental constraints, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, and appropriate zoning designations. Former agricultural lands or brownfield sites often present the best opportunities for balancing these factors while minimizing impacts on the community and natural 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.