Solar PV Analysis of College Park, United States
In simple terms, the location at College Park, Maryland is fairly good for generating energy via solar power throughout the year, but not ideal. The amount of electricity you can generate with a solar panel varies by season. During summer and spring, you can expect to produce a lot of electricity - 6.69kWh/day and 5.95kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively. Autumn's output is lower at 4.08kWh/day, while winter has the least output at just 2.49kWh/day.
The best times to generate solar energy in College Park are during summer and spring when days are longer and sunlight is more abundant than other seasons.
To get the most out of your solar panels in this area all year round, they should be tilted at an angle that faces 34 degrees South - this allows them to catch as much sunlight as possible over the course of a day.
As for local factors that could affect your ability to produce solar energy in College Park; weather patterns such as cloud cover or heavy snowfall during winter could limit sunlight exposure on your panels leading to less power generation than expected.
There may also be environmental or topography issues like tall trees or buildings casting shadows on your panels which would also reduce their efficiency.
To mitigate these issues when installing your panels: choose a spot with minimal shade throughout the day (you may need to trim trees), ensure they're easily accessible so you can clean off any snowfall quickly, consider using adjustable mounts so you can change their angle depending on the season and keep them clean from dust or debris which might block sunlight too.
Remember though that while these measures will help improve efficiency they won't completely eliminate seasonal fluctuations in power generation due to variations in daylight hours and weather conditions inherent with Maryland’s temperate climate zone location.
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 College Park
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9965, Longitude: -76.934 (College Park, 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 College Park, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in College Park, United States (Lat/Long 38.9965, -76.934) 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 College Park, 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 College Park, 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 | 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 College Park, 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 College Park, 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 College Park, United States
College Park is located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which means it has a relatively flat topography with gentle slopes and minor variations in elevation. The area is characterized by its low-lying terrain, with numerous rivers and streams flowing through it.
As for solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are ideal as they allow maximum exposure to sunlight and are easier to install panels on than hilly or mountainous areas. Thus, most parts of College Park would be suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, some specific nearby areas that could be particularly suitable include:
1. Open fields or farmlands: These areas typically have few obstructions (like tall buildings or trees) that might block sunlight.
2. Large commercial rooftops: These often provide ample space for solar panel installation.
3. Unused industrial land: Similar to open fields, these areas often have ample space and fewer obstructions.
It's also important to consider factors like local climate (solar panels work best in sunny conditions), proximity to power grids (for easy connection), local regulations regarding renewable energy installations etc., when planning where to install large-scale solar PV systems.
Please note this answer provides a general overview based on geographical location and does not account for detailed site-specific assessments which would need further investigation including aspects such as soil condition, land ownership among others before deciding on the suitability of a site for large scale Solar PV installation .
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 29th of February 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.
