Solar PV Analysis of Donnelly, United States
The location at Donnelly, Idaho, United States is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season. In the summer, you can expect to generate about 7.96 kilowatt-hours per day, which is a strong output likely due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. Spring also provides a good output with an average of 6.39 kWh/day.
However, during autumn and winter the production drops significantly because of shorter days and less intense sunlight. Expect only around 3.67 kWh/day in autumn and as low as 1.82 kWh/day in winter.
When installing solar panels at this location, it's best to angle them towards the south at a tilt of about 37 degrees to maximize their exposure to the sun throughout the year.
There are several potential environmental or weather factors that may affect solar production in Donnelly, Idaho. Winters can be quite harsh with heavy snowfall which could cover panels reducing their effectiveness or even cause damage if not properly managed. Other factors include cloudy days which occur frequently especially in fall and winter months limiting sun exposure.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Ensure your installation includes a system for clearing snow off your panels; either manually or through automated solutions such as panel heaters that melt away snow.
2) Consider investing in high-quality PV modules designed for less-than-ideal light conditions so they can still generate power on cloudy days.
3) Regular maintenance checks should be carried out to ensure optimal performance regardless of weather conditions.
4) Lastly, consider integrating battery storage into your system so excess power generated during peak times (like summer) can be stored for use when generation is lower (like winter).
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 Donnelly
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.6664, Longitude: -116.0339 (Donnelly, 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 37° South in Donnelly, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Donnelly, United States (Lat/Long 44.6664, -116.0339) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Donnelly, 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 Donnelly, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 37° 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 Donnelly, 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 Donnelly, 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 Donnelly, United States
Donnelly, United States is located in the state of Idaho. The topography around Donnelly is characterized by mountainous terrain and forested areas, as it's situated near the Payette National Forest and Cascade Reservoir. The area has a significant amount of undulating landforms due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are ideal. Given this criterion, valley areas or cleared agricultural lands around Donnelly could be potential sites for such projects. However, considering the local climate is also crucial since Idaho generally receives less sunlight than other more arid states like Arizona or California.
In addition to geographical considerations, any large-scale solar project would need to take into account factors such as accessibility (proximity to roads and power lines), local regulations relating to land use and environmental impact assessments.
It's also worth noting that while mountainous regions might not be suitable for large-scale ground-mounted solar farms due their uneven terrain, they can still potentially host smaller scale rooftop solar installations on homes or businesses where appropriate.
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 11th 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.
