Solar PV Analysis of Centennial, United States
The location in Centennial, Colorado is generally suitable for generating energy through solar PV. However, the effectiveness varies throughout the year due to seasonal changes.
In summer, you can expect a high output of 7.55kWh/day per kW of installed solar power because there are more hours of sunlight and the sun's rays are more direct. This makes it an ideal time for solar energy production. In spring and autumn, the output decreases to 5.76kWh/day and 4.78kWh/day respectively as days become shorter and sunlight less intense.
Winter sees the lowest output at only 3.23kWh/day per kW due to short days and low sun angles which mean less sunlight reaches your panels.
For optimal results all year round in Centennial, Colorado, it's recommended that fixed panel installations should be tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing southward to capture maximum sunlight.
However, there could be local factors that might affect solar production here:
1) Snow: Given that this area experiences winter snowfall which may cover panels thereby reducing their efficiency or even stopping production altogether.
Preventive measure: Install a system for removing snow from panels like automated cleaners or heating elements.
2) Hail: Colorado is known for hail storms which can damage solar panels.
Preventive measure: Use high-quality durable panels designed to withstand hail impacts or consider insurance coverage against such damage
3) Dust & Debris: Accumulation on your panels can reduce their effectiveness.
Preventive measure: Regular cleaning especially after storms will ensure they work efficiently.
So while Centennial has good potential for generating solar energy particularly during summer months; considering these environmental factors when installing your system will help maintain its productivity throughout the year despite seasonal variations in weather conditions.
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 Centennial
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.5802, Longitude: -104.9038 (Centennial, 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 Centennial, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Centennial, United States (Lat/Long 39.5802, -104.9038) 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 Centennial, 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 Centennial, 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 | 44° 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 Centennial, 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 Centennial, 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 Centennial, United States
Centennial, United States is located in the state of Colorado. The topography around Centennial is primarily flat and gently rolling plains, with some low hills and valleys. It's part of the Denver Metropolitan area which sits at a high elevation on the western edge of the Great Plains near the front range of the Rocky Mountains.
The climate in Centennial is semi-arid with plenty of sunshine throughout most parts of the year. This makes it an excellent location for large-scale solar PV installations. However, given that it's a suburban city, available open land may be limited.
Nearby areas that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV include:
1) Eastern Plains: Eastward from Centennial towards Limon or Burlington offers vast expanses of relatively flat and unused land ideal for solar farms.
2) San Luis Valley: Although further away (about 3-4 hours drive), this region has one of highest levels of insolation (sunlight exposure) in Colorado making it very suitable for large scale solar power generation.
Remember that factors like local regulations, access to transmission lines and environmental impact also need to be considered when deciding on locations for 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of July 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.
