Solar PV Analysis of Draper, United States
Draper, Utah is a decent location for generating energy through solar panels all year round. In simpler terms, the amount of sunlight that hits your solar panel determines how much electricity it can generate. During summer and spring, Draper gets quite a lot of sunlight which means you can produce lots of electricity - about 7.86kWh/day in summer and 6.74kWh/day in spring for each kW installed.
However, during autumn and winter the amount of sunlight reduces significantly leading to less electricity production; around 4.18kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 2.65kWh/day in winter per kW installed.
To maximize the total annual power output from your solar panels in Draper, you should tilt them at an angle of 35 degrees facing south.
Now let’s consider any local factors that might affect solar production here:
The weather could be a significant factor as Draper experiences snowfall during winter months which may cover the panels reducing their efficiency or possibly damaging them if not properly maintained.
As preventative measures:
1) Install an automatic or manual snow removal system to keep the panels clear.
2) Ensure regular maintenance checks especially during harsh weather conditions to ensure optimal performance.
3) Consider using black frames on your panels as they absorb more heat thus helping melt off snow faster than other colors.
4) If possible install your panel where it's more exposed to sun so that any accumulated snow melts quickly from direct sunlight exposure.
In summary, while there are some seasonal limitations due mainly to reduced sunshine hours and potential issues with snowfall covering the panels in winter months; with proper installation techniques and good maintenance practices these challenges can be mitigated making Draper a suitable location for installing solar PV systems 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 Draper
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.5084, Longitude: -111.8838 (Draper, 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 35° South in Draper, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Draper, United States (Lat/Long 40.5084, -111.8838) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Draper, 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 Draper, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Draper, 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 Draper, 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 Draper, United States
Draper, United States is located in the state of Utah and is characterized by a diverse topography. The area includes both flat and hilly terrain, with mountains to the east providing a dramatic backdrop. The landscape consists largely of valleys interspersed with hills, making it suitable for various types of development.
The best areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be those that receive high levels of sunlight throughout the year and have relatively flat land to accommodate large arrays of solar panels. In this case, open valley areas could be potential sites. However, detailed site-specific studies would need to be conducted to ensure factors such as soil stability, access to transmission lines, environmental impact etc., are considered.
Due west from Draper across Utah Lake might also provide good options given its flatter terrain and abundant sunshine. Additionally, southward towards Provo could potentially offer suitable locations due to its lower elevation compared to eastern mountainous regions.
However, it's important to note that while Utah gets plenty of sun which is great for solar power generation; other factors like local climate conditions (snowfall can cover panels), land use restrictions or regulations should also be taken into account when planning largescale solar PV installations.
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: Wednesday 15th of May 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.
