Solar PV Analysis of Excelsior, United States
Excelsior, Minnesota, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. With coordinates 44.9007°N, 93.5773°W, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.84 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.28 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.42 kWh/day/kW, while winter performance dips to its lowest at 2.32 kWh/day/kW.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between summer and winter production, with summer yielding nearly three times the energy of winter months. This variation is primarily due to the changing angle of the sun and daylight hours throughout the year at this latitude.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar production in Excelsior, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 39-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, compensating for the sun's changing position in the sky.
Environmental Considerations
While Excelsior's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow guards can mitigate this issue.
- Minnesota's cold winters may actually benefit solar production, as panels operate more efficiently in cooler temperatures. However, extreme cold can potentially damage equipment if not properly winterized.
To address these challenges, consider using bifacial panels to capture reflected light from snow, and ensure all equipment is rated for extreme cold. Additionally, a slightly steeper panel angle than the optimal 39 degrees might help with snow shedding, though this would slightly reduce overall annual production.
In conclusion, while Excelsior experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable energy option year-round.
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 Excelsior
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.9007, Longitude: -93.5773 (Excelsior, 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 39° South in Excelsior, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Excelsior, United States (Lat/Long 44.9007, -93.5773) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Excelsior, 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 Excelsior, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 49° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 37° 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 Excelsior, 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 Excelsior, 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 Excelsior, United States
The area around Excelsior, Minnesota, is characterized by a gently rolling landscape typical of the Midwestern United States. Located in the eastern part of the state, this region was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in a mix of subtle hills, shallow depressions, and numerous lakes.
Excelsior itself sits on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, one of the largest and most prominent lakes in the area. The surrounding terrain is a patchwork of woodlands, open fields, and suburban developments. The elevation changes are generally mild, with most of the area ranging between 900 and 1,000 feet above sea level.
To the north and west of Excelsior, the land becomes slightly more undulating, with some areas featuring more pronounced hills and valleys. To the south and east, the terrain tends to flatten out somewhat, transitioning into more expansive prairies and agricultural lands.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat, open spaces with good sun exposure. Given the topography around Excelsior, the most suitable areas would likely be found to the south and east of the city.
These regions, where the landscape becomes flatter and more open, offer better potential for solar energy production. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow fields could be prime candidates for solar farm development. Areas with minimal tree cover and away from the numerous lakes would be preferable to maximize sunlight exposure throughout the day.
However, it's important to note that while the topography in this region is generally favorable for solar installations, other factors such as local zoning laws, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar projects. Additionally, the presence of wetlands and protected natural areas, which are common in this part of Minnesota, would need to be taken into account when selecting suitable sites for solar PV development.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 20th of September 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.
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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.
