Solar PV Analysis of Cedar Rapids, United States
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States (latitude: 41.9504, longitude: -91.6897), solar power generation is most effective during the summer and spring seasons, with average daily energy production per kW of installed solar capacity reaching 6.53 kWh and 5.19 kWh respectively. In contrast, autumn and winter see lower energy production levels at 3.66 kWh and 2.62 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity.
The ideal angle for fixed panel installations in this location is a tilt of 37 degrees facing south to maximize sunlight exposure throughout the year.
While Cedar Rapids has potential for generating solar power year-round, certain local factors may impact its efficiency. Heavy snowfall or rain can reduce sunlight availability, affecting the performance of solar PV systems. Strong winds may also lead to dust and debris accumulation on panels, which can decrease their efficiency over time.
To mitigate these challenges when installing solar panels in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it's essential to ensure proper maintenance such as regular cleaning to remove any accumulated dirt or debris from the panels' surface. Additionally, selecting a suitable mounting system that allows for easy access to clean and maintain the panels will help ensure optimal energy production throughout the year despite varying weather conditions.
Overall, Cedar Rapids offers a viable opportunity for harnessing solar power across different seasons; however, taking into account local environmental factors and ensuring proper installation and maintenance practices are crucial for maximizing energy production from solar PV systems in this area.
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 Cedar Rapids
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.9504, Longitude: -91.6897 (Cedar Rapids, 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 37° South in Cedar Rapids, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cedar Rapids, United States (Lat/Long 41.9504, -91.6897) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, United States
The topography around Cedar Rapids is generally flat, with some rolling hills to the north and south. Areas near the city that would be most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations include open fields, rooftops, and parking lots with adequate sunlight exposure. Nearby rural areas such as the towns of Swisher, Solon, and Ely are also good locations for large-scale solar PV projects due to their ample amounts of open land and sunshine.
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: Tuesday 16th of August 2022
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.
