Solar PV Analysis of Carbondale, United States
Carbondale, Colorado in the United States is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels depends on how much sunlight they receive. In Carbondale, this varies by season.
In summer and spring, when days are longer and there's more sunshine overall, you can expect to get a good amount of power from your solar panels - around 7.58 kilowatt-hours per day in the summer and 6.49 kilowatt-hours per day in the spring for every kilowatt of installed solar capacity.
However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and often cloudier, your panels won't produce as much electricity - only about 4.39 kWh/day in autumn and even less at 2.94 kWh/day during winter.
To make sure your panels get as much sun exposure as possible all year round at this location, they should be tilted at an angle facing southwards by about 34 degrees.
There could be some local factors that might affect how well your solar setup works here though. For example:
- Weather: Carbondale has a relatively mild climate but does experience snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels.
- Environment: Depending on where exactly you're installing these panels (e.g., if it’s near mountains), there may be periods of shade that could reduce their efficiency.
Preventative measures to consider:
- Regular maintenance is key so keep an eye out for any snow or debris build-up on the panel surfaces which would block sunlight.
- If shading is an issue due to nearby structures or natural features like mountains or trees trimming or strategic placement away from such obstacles would help improve production levels too.
So while Carbondale isn't necessarily ideal for year-round maximum output from a fixed panel installation because of its seasonal variations in sunlight intensity and potential environmental challenges, it can still be a very viable location for solar energy production with the right setup and maintenance.
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 Carbondale
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.2438, Longitude: -107.2128 (Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carbondale, United States (Lat/Long 39.2438, -107.2128) 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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, United States
Carbondale is located in the state of Colorado, United States. The town is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains and hills. It has an elevation of about 6,181 feet (1,884 meters). The Roaring Fork River runs through it and there are several forests nearby including White River National Forest.
The topography around Carbondale is characterized by mountainous terrain with numerous valleys and rivers. The area experiences a significant amount of sunshine throughout the year making it suitable for solar PV installations.
However, due to the mountainous landscape, large scale solar PV installations would require careful planning to ensure maximum sunlight exposure. Flatter areas or south-facing slopes would be ideal for such installations as they receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
Areas like Rifle (to the west) or Aspen (to the east) could potentially offer better conditions for large-scale solar PV due to their comparatively flatter terrains and higher annual sunshine hours compared to Carbondale's immediate surroundings which are quite hilly and forested.
In addition to geographical considerations, other factors such as local regulations regarding land use and environmental impact would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale solar 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: Wednesday 12th of June 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.
