Solar PV Analysis of Delta, United States
Delta, Colorado is a reasonably good location for generating solar energy year-round. The electricity output from solar panels varies across the seasons, with the highest output in summer (7.72 kilowatt-hours per day) and spring (6.85 kWh/day), and lower outputs in autumn (4.72 kWh/day) and winter (3.23 kWh/day). This means that you'll get the most energy from your solar panels during summer and spring.
To maximize energy production throughout the year, it's best to tilt your solar panels at an angle of 34 degrees facing south if they are installed permanently.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels in Delta, Colorado. For example, this area experiences snowfall during winter which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency; but this can be managed by clearing off snow regularly or installing a system to automatically do so.
Furthermore, Delta has a semi-arid climate meaning it's relatively dry with less rainfall which is favorable for solar power generation as cloudy weather or heavy rainfalls can reduce sunlight exposure on the panel surface limiting its ability to produce electricity effectively.
Additionally, dust accumulation on panel surfaces may also hinder efficient sunlight absorption over time if not cleaned periodically.
In summary: Solar power generation in Delta is quite effective especially during spring and summer months while being less productive during autumn and winter due to environmental factors like snowfall but these challenges can be mitigated through maintenance practices such as clearing of snow or cleaning off dust accumulation on panel surfaces ensuring optimal performance all year round.
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 Delta
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7369, Longitude: -108.0651 (Delta, 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 Delta, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Delta, United States (Lat/Long 38.7369, -108.0651) 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 Delta, 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 Delta, 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 | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Delta, 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 Delta, 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 Delta, United States
Delta, United States (specifically Delta, Colorado) is located in a high desert region with an elevation of about 1,494 meters. The topography around the area is relatively flat and broad with some rolling hills. It's surrounded by the Uncompahgre Plateau to the west, Grand Mesa to the north-east and San Juan Mountains further south.
The region receives ample sunlight throughout the year making it potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Flat areas would be best suited due to ease of installation and maintenance as well as optimal sun exposure.
The surrounding regions like Olathe to the North East or Cedaredge on slopes of Grand Mesa could also be potential sites for solar PV given their similar climatic conditions and relatively flat terrains. However, any specific site selection would need detailed analysis considering factors such as land use restrictions, proximity to transmission lines or substations etc.
Keep in mind that while this area has good sunshine hours which are beneficial for solar power generation, other factors such as local weather patterns (like snowfall which can cover panels), temperature variations (as extreme temperatures can affect panel efficiency), land availability and cost, infrastructure access etc., should also be considered before setting up a large-scale solar PV plant.
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: Monday 24th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
