Solar PV Analysis of Exira, United States
Exira, Iowa, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, can generate energy from solar panels throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies by season.
In simple terms:
- Summer is the most productive time for solar energy generation with an average output of 7 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power.
- Spring is next best with an average output of 5.37 kWh/day per kW.
- Autumn sees a significant drop to 3.75 kWh/day per kW.
- Winter has the lowest output at only 2.63 kWh/day per kW.
So if you're considering when to rely on solar power most heavily in Exira, summer and spring would be your best bet.
To get as much electricity as possible from your solar panels throughout the year in Exira, they should be installed at a tilt angle facing 36 degrees southward.
Now let's talk about potential challenges to generating solar power in Exira and how they might be addressed:
1) Weather: Iowa experiences various weather conditions including snowfall which could cover panels reducing their efficiency or even damage them. The solution here is regular maintenance and cleaning especially after heavy snowfalls.
2) Seasonal changes: As mentioned earlier, there are fluctuations in sunlight availability across different seasons affecting energy production levels; this cannot be controlled but can be planned for by having backup sources during less sunny periods or storing excess generated during peak times.
3) Dust and debris: These can accumulate on panel surfaces over time reducing their efficiency significantly; again regular cleaning helps keep them functioning optimally.
4) Shade: Buildings or trees may cast shadows over panels reducing their exposure to sun thus affecting productivity; careful site selection where there's minimal shading will help overcome this challenge.
Remember these are just some potential factors that could affect your overall production level - it's always good to consult with a professional solar installer who can assess your specific situation and provide tailored recommendations.
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 Exira
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.5743, Longitude: -94.8585 (Exira, 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 Exira, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Exira, United States (Lat/Long 41.5743, -94.8585) 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 Exira, 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 Exira, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Exira, 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 Exira, 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 Exira, United States
Exira, United States is located in the state of Iowa. The topography around this region is primarily flat to gently rolling plains characteristic of the Midwest Great Plains region. There are also some areas with forests and rivers.
The climate in Exira can be classified as humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. This area receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar PV installations.
Given its topography and climate, large-scale solar PV would likely be most successful on the open, flat lands around Exira. These areas would provide ample space for solar panels and receive plenty of sunlight without obstruction from trees or buildings.
However, it's important to note that other factors such as local regulations, proximity to power grids or substations for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity should also be considered when selecting sites for large-scale solar installations.
Specifically identifying which nearby areas would suit best would require more detailed analysis including GIS mapping data 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: Sunday 30th 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.
