Chantilly, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal variations in electricity output per kW of installed solar provide insights into the potential for solar energy production in this area.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.46 kWh/day output. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.73 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.

Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output, dropping to 4.01 kWh/day. While less productive than summer and spring, it still offers decent solar generation potential.

Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.47 kWh/day, which is expected due to shorter days and lower sun angles. However, even during this season, solar panels continue to generate electricity, albeit at a reduced rate.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Chantilly, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Chantilly's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snowfall: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps snow slide off more easily.
• Tree coverage: Chantilly has significant tree coverage, which may cast shadows on panels. Careful site selection and tree trimming can mitigate this issue.

To maximize solar production, regular panel cleaning, especially after storms or during pollen season, is recommended. Additionally, using microinverters or power optimizers can help maintain overall system performance even if some panels are partially shaded.

Overall, while Chantilly experiences seasonal variations in solar output, its location still provides a good opportunity for solar PV energy generation, especially during the spring and summer months.

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 3013 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 Chantilly

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.8976, Longitude: -77.5109 (Chantilly, 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 Chantilly, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chantilly, United States (Lat/Long 38.8976, -77.5109) 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 Chantilly, 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 Chantilly, 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
22° 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 Chantilly, 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 Chantilly, 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 Chantilly, United States

The area around Chantilly, Virginia, located at approximately 38.8976°N and 77.5109°W, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Piedmont region. This landscape features low hills, shallow valleys, and occasional flat areas, with elevations generally ranging from about 200 to 400 feet above sea level. The topography is a result of millions of years of erosion and weathering of ancient mountain ranges, leaving behind a mix of bedrock and sedimentary deposits. Chantilly and its surrounding areas are dotted with numerous small streams and creeks that flow through the gentle slopes, eventually feeding into larger rivers like the Potomac. The region also includes scattered woodlands and open fields, interspersed with suburban developments and commercial areas.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain of the Piedmont region offers some advantages for solar energy development, but also presents challenges. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Chantilly would likely be found in the more open, flatter sections of land. These areas would ideally have minimal shading from trees or buildings and face southward to maximize sun exposure throughout the day. Former agricultural lands or brownfield sites could be particularly well-suited for solar development. Areas to the west and southwest of Chantilly, where the terrain begins to flatten out towards the Shenandoah Valley, might offer more expansive tracts of land suitable for large solar installations. However, developers would need to carefully consider factors such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and potential environmental impacts. It's important to note that while the topography around Chantilly is generally favorable for solar development, the region's climate, including occasional severe weather events like hurricanes and heavy snowfall, would need to be factored into the design and construction of any large-scale solar PV project. Additionally, the area's continued suburban growth may limit the availability of large, contiguous parcels of land needed for utility-scale solar farms in the immediate vicinity of Chantilly.

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.