El Mirage, Arizona represents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 33.6096, -112.3253. This desert location benefits from abundant sunshine throughout most of the year, making it highly suitable for solar photovoltaic installations.

Seasonal Solar Production Performance

The solar energy output at El Mirage shows strong seasonal variation but maintains good production levels year-round. Spring delivers the highest output at 7.98 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, closely followed by summer at 7.88 kWh per day. These two seasons represent the ideal times for solar generation at this location, providing nearly double the energy output compared to winter months. Autumn production drops to 5.37 kWh per day per kW, while winter shows the lowest output at 4.02 kWh per day per kW. Despite this winter reduction, the location still maintains reasonable solar production during the cooler months, making it viable for year-round solar energy systems. For optimal performance with a fixed panel installation at El Mirage, panels should be tilted at 29 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total year-round solar production by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the seasons and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant environmental factors can impact solar production in the El Mirage area and require careful consideration during installation planning. Dust accumulation presents the most persistent challenge in this desert environment. Fine desert sand and dust particles can coat solar panels, reducing their efficiency by blocking sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells. During dry periods and windstorms, dust buildup can be particularly severe. Extreme heat during summer months can reduce panel efficiency, as photovoltaic cells typically perform less effectively at very high temperatures despite the abundant sunlight. Summer temperatures in this region can exceed 115°F (46°C). Monsoon storms during late summer bring intense winds, heavy rainfall, and potential hail that could damage solar installations. These storms can arrive suddenly and produce damaging weather conditions.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Regular cleaning schedules are essential to combat dust accumulation. Installing automated cleaning systems or planning for frequent manual cleaning will help maintain peak efficiency. Some installers recommend weekly cleaning during particularly dusty periods. Proper ventilation and spacing around solar panels helps manage extreme heat issues. Mounting systems that allow air circulation beneath panels can reduce operating temperatures and improve efficiency during hot summer months. Robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds and potential hail damage are crucial. Using tempered glass panels rated for severe weather conditions and ensuring proper structural anchoring will protect the investment during monsoon season. Installing monitoring systems allows for quick identification of performance issues, whether from dust buildup, weather damage, or equipment problems, enabling prompt maintenance responses to maximize energy production.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 El Mirage

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.6096, Longitude: -112.3253 (El Mirage, 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 29° South in El Mirage, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in El Mirage, United States (Lat/Long 33.6096, -112.3253) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 El Mirage, 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 El Mirage, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	26° 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 El Mirage, 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 El Mirage, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 El Mirage, United States

Topographical Features of El Mirage

El Mirage sits in the heart of the Sonoran Desert within the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona. The terrain around this location is characterized by relatively flat desert basin land, interrupted by scattered low hills and mountain ranges that define the broader landscape. The immediate area features gentle rolling terrain with elevations ranging from approximately 1,100 to 1,300 feet above sea level, creating an expansive plain that stretches across much of the western Phoenix valley. The region is part of the Basin and Range geological province, where ancient tectonic forces have created a series of mountain ranges separated by broad, flat valleys. To the north and west of El Mirage, the landscape gradually rises toward the Hieroglyphic Mountains and New River Mountains, while the White Tank Mountains form a prominent barrier to the southwest. These mountain ranges create natural boundaries around the desert basin where El Mirage is located.

Desert Basin Characteristics

The topography immediately surrounding El Mirage consists primarily of alluvial fans and desert pavement, formed over millennia by erosion from the surrounding mountains. This has created remarkably flat expanses of land with minimal vegetation, predominantly featuring creosote bush, palo verde trees, and various cacti species typical of the lower Sonoran Desert ecosystem. The soil composition in this area is generally well-drained desert soil with caliche layers beneath the surface. The terrain shows very gentle slopes, typically less than two percent grade across most of the basin floor. This flat topography, combined with the sparse vegetation and low rainfall, creates ideal conditions for large-scale development projects that require extensive level ground.

Optimal Areas for Solar Development

The vast desert basin extending northwest and west from El Mirage presents exceptional opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas offer thousands of acres of relatively flat, undeveloped land with minimal environmental constraints. The terrain requires little grading or preparation, significantly reducing construction costs and environmental impact compared to more challenging topographical locations. The most promising zones for solar development lie in the broad valleys between the mountain ranges, particularly in areas that maintain sufficient distance from residential developments and major transportation corridors. The expansive flats extending toward the Hassayampa River corridor offer particularly suitable conditions, with consistent gentle slopes that facilitate proper drainage while maintaining optimal panel positioning. Areas closer to existing electrical transmission infrastructure would provide additional advantages for solar development. The relatively flat terrain throughout most of the region means that solar installations can be positioned to take advantage of consistent exposure patterns while maintaining efficient spacing between panel arrays.

Geographic Advantages

The surrounding mountain ranges actually provide beneficial characteristics for solar installations by creating natural windbreaks and helping to maintain stable atmospheric conditions. The clear desert air and minimal precipitation in this region contribute to excellent visibility and reduced maintenance requirements for solar equipment. The topographical isolation of the desert basin also means that large solar installations would have minimal visual impact on populated areas, as the surrounding mountains help screen industrial developments from residential zones. This geographic separation, combined with the abundance of suitable flat land, makes the El Mirage area particularly well-suited for utility-scale solar projects that require extensive acreage and minimal topographical constraints.

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

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.