Solar PV Analysis of Ellicott City, United States
Ellicott City, Maryland, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, is moderately suitable for generating solar energy year-round. This is based on how much electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power throughout different seasons.
In simple terms, during summer and spring, this location can produce a good amount of solar energy - 6.43 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.64 kilowatt-hours per day in spring from each kW of installed solar power. These are the ideal times to generate solar at this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun angles.
However, production drops significantly during autumn and winter with only 3.77 kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 2.26 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power because days are shorter and sunlight is not as strong.
If you want to set up a fixed panel installation here, tilting your panels at an angle of 34 degrees facing south would be best for maximizing total year-round production from your photovoltaic (PV) system which converts sunlight into usable electricity.
There could be some local factors that might affect your ability to generate maximum possible energy from your PV system though:
1) Weather conditions: Ellicott City experiences all four seasons with significant cloud cover during certain periods which could reduce the amount of direct sunlight hitting your panels.
Preventative Measure: Regular maintenance should help keep panels clean and clear so they can absorb as much light as possible when it's available.
2) Snowfall: Heavy snowfall may block sunlight if it accumulates on the panels.
Preventative Measure: Consider installing automated snow removal systems or use manual tools carefully without damaging the panels to remove snow buildup.
3) Shading issues: Nearby trees or buildings may cast shadows over your installation reducing its efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Choose an installation site with minimal shading or consider trimming trees if possible.
Overall, while Ellicott City is not the most ideal location for solar energy production year-round, with the right strategies and maintenance, it can still be a viable option.
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 Ellicott City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.2514, Longitude: -76.7979 (Ellicott City, 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 Ellicott City, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ellicott City, United States (Lat/Long 39.2514, -76.7979) 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 Ellicott City, 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 Ellicott City, 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 | 44° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 32° 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 Ellicott City, 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 Ellicott City, 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 Ellicott City, United States
Ellicott City is located in the Piedmont Plateau region of Maryland, United States. The topography is characterized by rolling hills and valleys with elevations ranging from 200 to 800 feet above sea level. The city lies along the Patapsco River, which has shaped much of its surrounding landscape.
The region features a mix of forested areas, agricultural lands, and urban development. There are several large open spaces that could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
1) Agricultural Lands: Large tracts of agricultural land around Ellicott City could be potential sites for solar PV installations. These areas are generally flat or gently sloping, making them ideal for such projects.
2) Brownfield Sites: Old industrial or commercial sites that have been abandoned or underused can also serve as potential locations for solar power plants.
3) Rooftops: Large commercial or industrial buildings in the area may have substantial rooftop space that could be used for smaller scale solar installations.
4) Landfills: Closed landfills can provide ample space for large-scale solar projects while also repurposing otherwise unusable land.
However, any decision on where to install a large-scale solar PV project should take into account not just topographical suitability but also factors like local zoning laws, proximity to electrical grid infrastructure, environmental impact assessments and community acceptance among others.
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: Thursday 20th of June 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.
