Solar PV Analysis of Cleves, United States
The location at Cleves, Ohio, United States is somewhat ideal for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. This means using solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. However, the amount of energy you can generate varies throughout the year.
In summer and spring, this location can produce a good amount of electricity from solar power - 6.22 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar in summer and 5.52 in spring. That's because these seasons have longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly due to shorter days and less intense sunlight - down to 3.77 kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 2.18 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar.
To maximize your yearly production from your solar panels at this location, you should tilt them towards the south at an angle of about 34 degrees.
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels here though:
1) Weather: Ohio experiences a mix of sunny and cloudy days throughout the year which could affect how much sun reaches your panels.
2) Snow: In winter months when it snows heavily, snow may cover up your panels blocking out sunlight.
3) Dust & Debris: If there's dust or debris on your panel surface it may reduce efficiency by blocking out light.
4) Shading: Any large structures or trees around that cast shadows on your panels will also reduce their efficiency.
You can take preventative measures against these issues though:
1) Regular Cleaning: Clean off any dust or debris accumulated on panel surfaces regularly.
2) Snow Removal: After heavy snowfall remove snow from panel surfaces so they get maximum exposure to sunlight.
3) Proper Siting & Installation: Install panels away from shading structures/trees if possible; if not feasible trim branches etc., periodically to minimize shading.
4) Maintenance: Regular checks and maintenance can help ensure your panels are working at their best efficiency.
Overall, while Cleves, Ohio isn't the most ideal location for solar power due to its seasonal variations and potential local factors, it's still a viable option especially with proper installation and upkeep.
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 Cleves
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.1892, Longitude: -84.7502 (Cleves, 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 Cleves, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cleves, United States (Lat/Long 39.1892, -84.7502) 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 Cleves, 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 Cleves, 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 Cleves, 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 Cleves, 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 Cleves, United States
Cleves is located in the state of Ohio, United States. The topography around Cleves consists mostly of flat to gently rolling terrain with some hilly areas. It's part of the Midwest region which is known for its plains and lowland areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal as they allow for easier installation and maintenance, better sun exposure and increased efficiency. Therefore, the plains and lowland regions around Cleves would be well-suited for such projects.
However, factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), land availability, soil type, proximity to power grids/infrastructure also play a crucial role in determining suitability for large-scale solar PV installations.
It's recommended to conduct a detailed site assessment considering all these factors before proceeding with any largescale solar PV project.
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: Thursday 28th of March 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.
