Solar PV Analysis of Dubuque, United States
Dubuque, Iowa, in the United States is located in a region that can produce a decent amount of solar energy throughout the year. In simple terms, if you install solar panels here, they will generate good amounts of electricity during summer and spring but less so during autumn and winter. Specifically, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed at this location, you could expect to generate an average of 6.44 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.15 kWh/day in spring. But during autumn and winter, these numbers drop to 3.48 kWh/day and 2.38 kWh/day respectively.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, it's best to tilt them towards south at an angle of about 37 degrees from horizontal level.
However there are some local factors that might affect how much energy you can actually produce with your solar panels here:
1) Weather: Dubuque experiences quite a bit snowfall during winter months which may cover up your solar panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping production altogether until cleared off.
Preventative measure: Regularly clear off any snow build-up on your panel surfaces as soon as possible after snowfalls.
2) Cloud Coverage: The area also has significant cloud coverage especially outside summer months which again reduces sunlight reaching your panels hence lower energy production.
Preventative measure: There isn't much one can do about clouds; however installing more efficient or higher capacity PV systems can help offset some losses due to cloudy days.
In summary then; while not perfect - due mostly to weather related issues - Dubuque still offers pretty good potential for generating power via Solar PV especially when installations are correctly oriented/angled and well maintained particularly through snowy periods.
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 Dubuque
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.4649, Longitude: -90.6829 (Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dubuque, United States (Lat/Long 42.4649, -90.6829) 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 Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, United States
Dubuque, located in the state of Iowa, United States, is situated on the Mississippi River and is characterized by a mix of flatlands and rolling hills. The region has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The city itself is known for its unique topography featuring bluffs overlooking the river.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically preferred as they require less land preparation and make installation easier. Therefore, agricultural lands or open fields around Dubuque could be suitable for such projects given their relatively flat terrain.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV doesn't solely depend on topography but also factors like sunlight exposure (solar irradiance), local weather conditions, proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid connection), land use regulations among others.
In terms of sunlight exposure specifically - according to U.S Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Iowa gets about 4.5-5 hours of full sun per day on average annually which is fairly good for solar energy generation.
As such, areas southwards from Dubuque where there are more open fields and farmlands may be particularly suited for large scale solar PV installations considering both topographical and climatic conditions.
But again it's crucial all these factors are thoroughly evaluated before deciding on a location for large-scale solar 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 27th of May 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.
