Ephraim, Utah, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a variable but generally favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal output varies significantly, with summer producing the highest yields and winter the lowest.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Ephraim demonstrate strong seasonal patterns in energy production. Summer months yield an impressive 7.79 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.70 kWh/day. Production decreases in autumn to 4.42 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 2.68 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This pattern shows that Ephraim enjoys excellent solar potential during approximately half the year (spring and summer), with more modest returns during autumn and winter. The substantial difference between summer and winter production (nearly three times more in summer) indicates the pronounced seasonal variation at this latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Ephraim, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated specifically for this location to optimize annual solar yield, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal solar elevation changes.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Ephraim:

• Winter snowfall: Central Utah experiences significant snowfall, which can cover panels and reduce winter production. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps snow slide off more easily, though manual clearing may occasionally be necessary.
• Dust and agricultural particulates: Ephraim's location in an agricultural valley means dust can accumulate on panels, particularly during dry summer months. Regular cleaning or rain-sensing cleaning systems can mitigate this issue.
• Temperature extremes: While cold temperatures actually improve solar panel efficiency, very hot summer days may slightly reduce panel efficiency. Using panels with good temperature coefficients and ensuring adequate airflow behind panels can help manage this.

Despite these considerations, Ephraim's high elevation, generally clear skies, and abundant sunshine make it a solid location for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early autumn when the majority of annual solar energy can be harvested.

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 Ephraim

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.3607, Longitude: -111.5779 (Ephraim, 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 Ephraim, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ephraim, United States (Lat/Long 39.3607, -111.5779) 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 Ephraim, 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 Ephraim, 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 Ephraim, 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 Ephraim, 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 Ephraim, United States

The topography around Ephraim, Utah presents a striking landscape characterized by significant elevation changes and diverse terrain features. Situated in Sanpete County in central Utah, Ephraim rests at the eastern base of the impressive Wasatch Range, part of the larger Rocky Mountain system. The town itself sits at an elevation of approximately 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) above sea level, nestled in what locals refer to as the Sanpete Valley. To the west of Ephraim rise the dramatic slopes of the Wasatch Plateau, with elevations quickly climbing to over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). This mountain range creates a formidable western boundary with steep gradients, forested slopes, and distinctive ridgelines. The transition from valley floor to mountain heights occurs rather abruptly, creating a stark visual contrast that defines the western horizon. Eastward from Ephraim, the landscape gradually rises toward the Wasatch Plateau's eastern edge before eventually giving way to the San Pitch Mountains. This eastern terrain features a mix of rolling hills, elevated benchlands, and numerous small drainages and canyons that have been carved by seasonal water flows over millennia.

Valley Floor Characteristics

The Sanpete Valley where Ephraim is located forms a relatively flat basin surrounded by higher terrain. This valley floor consists primarily of alluvial deposits and sediments that have washed down from the surrounding highlands. The valley runs roughly north-south and averages about 5-10 miles (8-16 kilometers) in width throughout most of its extent. Small streams and irrigation channels cross the valley floor, supporting agricultural activities that have historically defined the region's economy. The soil composition varies but generally consists of fertile deposits suitable for farming, though some areas exhibit higher alkalinity.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several areas near Ephraim offer promising conditions. The most suitable locations would be found on the valley floor and lower benchlands east of the town, where several favorable factors converge. The relatively flat terrain of the eastern valley portions presents ideal conditions for solar array installation, minimizing the need for extensive grading and site preparation. These areas also benefit from minimal shading effects from the western mountains, particularly during afternoon periods when solar radiation is typically strongest. The benchlands and slightly elevated terraces east of Ephraim offer especially promising locations. These areas sit above the valley floor, reducing concerns about potential flooding or water table issues. The gentle slopes in these regions, typically between 1-5 degrees, provide natural drainage while remaining well within acceptable parameters for efficient solar installation. The region's relatively sparse vegetation in these eastern benchlands further reduces site preparation requirements. Much of this terrain consists of sage-steppe ecosystem with low-growing shrubs and grasses that are less costly to clear than forested areas. Areas to avoid for solar development would include the steeper western slopes leading up to the Wasatch Range, where installation would be logistically challenging and economically impractical. Similarly, the immediate riparian corridors along streams should be excluded due to environmental considerations and potential flooding risks. From a land use perspective, the optimal solar development zones would target areas that avoid prime agricultural lands while remaining reasonably close to existing transmission infrastructure. Several locations 3-7 miles (5-11 kilometers) east of Ephraim's center meet these criteria, offering a balance of favorable topography, good solar exposure, and practical development considerations.

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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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.