Solar PV Analysis of Erie, United States
Erie, Pennsylvania is in a location that can produce solar energy throughout the year. However, how much energy you can generate depends on the season. In summer, you're likely to get around 6.39 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases to about 3.26 kWh/day in autumn and drops even further to about 1.85 kWh/day in winter before increasing again to around 5.55 kWh/day in spring.
So basically, your best times for generating solar power are during the summer and spring months when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is more intense.
To maximize your total year-round production from your solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing southward.
As for local factors that could affect your solar production; Erie is known for its snowy winters which could cover up your panels reducing their output or even stop it completely until they're cleared off again. Also, Erie gets less sunshine than the US average especially during winter months which could also limit production during those times.
To combat these issues:
- You might want to consider a snow removal plan for clearing off your panels after heavy snowfalls.
- Using adjustable tilt mounts could allow changing the panel angles throughout the year maximizing exposure to available sunlight.
- You may also want larger capacity batteries or grid-tied systems so excess power generated during peak seasons can be stored or sold back into grid respectively helping offset lower productivity periods.
Remember though that while these measures can help increase productivity they will come with additional costs and should be considered against potential benefits when deciding on installing a system here.
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 Erie
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.0751, Longitude: -80.1464 (Erie, 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 36° South in Erie, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Erie, United States (Lat/Long 42.0751, -80.1464) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Erie, 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 Erie, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° 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 | 45° 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 Erie, 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 Erie, 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 Erie, United States
Erie, United States is located in the state of Pennsylvania. The topography around Erie is relatively flat and low-lying with gentle rolling hills surrounding it. This region sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie and has an elevation of approximately 223 meters (732 feet) above sea level.
The nearby areas that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations are those with abundant sunlight and open, flat spaces for maximum exposure. Some potential locations could include:
1. Farmlands: The rural areas surrounding Erie have a lot of farmland which could be suitable for solar farms, assuming they don't interfere with agricultural operations.
2. Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed sites that are not currently in use, such as old industrial sites or landfills. They can often be repurposed for renewable energy projects like solar farms.
3. Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or warehouses in the area may have expansive rooftops that could host rooftop solar panels.
4. Unused Public Lands: If there are any unused public lands around Erie, these could potentially be used for large scale solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that while Pennsylvania does receive enough sun to make solar power viable, its climate isn't as ideal as some other states due to its relatively high cloud cover and lower levels of annual sunshine compared to southwestern states like Arizona or New Mexico.
It's also crucial to consider local regulations and community acceptance when planning large-scale renewable energy projects.
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: Wednesday 29th 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.
