Solar PV Analysis of Calhan, United States
The location at Calhan, Colorado is quite decent for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar power varies by season, with summer being the most productive and winter being the least.
In simpler terms, for every kilowatt of solar panels you install, you can expect to generate about 7.56 units of electricity each day in the summer. This amount drops a bit in spring to around 6.26 units per day and further decreases in autumn to about 4.93 units per day. Winter sees the lowest production with only about 3.31 units of electricity generated each day per kilowatt of installed solar panels.
This means that if you want to maximize your energy generation from your solar panels, it's best to focus on the sunnier seasons like spring and summer.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing south would help capture more sunlight over the course of a year thus increasing overall production.
However, there could be some factors which might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar setup here in Calhan, Colorado:
1) Weather: In case there are frequent snowfalls or heavy dust storms during certain periods which may cover up your panels reducing their efficiency.
2) Shading: Nearby buildings or large trees casting shadows on your panel will also reduce its productivity.
3) Temperature: Solar PV systems tend not to perform as well when temperatures get very high; although this is usually balanced out somewhat by longer hours of daylight during hotter months.
To overcome these potential issues:
- Regular cleaning especially after snowfall or dust storm would keep them working efficiently.
- If possible avoid locations where shading occurs frequently or remove obstructions if feasible.
- Consider installing cooling mechanisms such as fans for high temperature days but remember they will consume part some power too so balance needs consideration.
In summary though overall, Calhan, Colorado is a pretty good place to set up solar panels and generate renewable energy.
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 Calhan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9671, Longitude: -104.3557 (Calhan, 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 Calhan, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Calhan, United States (Lat/Long 38.9671, -104.3557) 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 Calhan, 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 Calhan, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Calhan, 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 Calhan, 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 Calhan, United States
Calhan, United States is located in the state of Colorado. It lies on the high plains east of Colorado Springs and has an elevation of about 6,535 feet (1,992 meters). The topography around Calhan is relatively flat with some rolling hills. The area falls within the Great Plains region and is characterized by its open grasslands.
Given this topography, large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations could be quite suitable in this region. Flat or gently sloping areas are typically ideal for solar farms as they require less land grading and can therefore be more cost-effective to develop.
Moreover, Colorado receives a significant amount of sunlight annually which makes it one of the best states for solar power generation in the U.S. According to Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Colorado ranks 12th in the nation for installed solar capacity.
Areas nearby Calhan that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV include:
1. Open fields or farmlands: These spaces provide ample room for installing large arrays of solar panels without obstruction from trees or buildings.
2. Unused industrial lands: If there are any unused or abandoned industrial sites nearby, these could potentially be repurposed into a renewable energy facility.
3. Rooftops: Large commercial building rooftops can also serve as potential locations for smaller scale PV systems.
However, it's important to note that while geographical and environmental factors play a major role in determining suitability for a solar farm, other considerations such as proximity to transmission lines and local permitting regulations must also be taken into account when planning such projects.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 27th 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.
