Fairbanks, Alaska, in the United States, presents unique challenges and opportunities for solar PV energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone at latitude 64.8507 and longitude -147.8738, this city experiences extreme variations in daylight hours and solar intensity throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Fairbanks varies dramatically across seasons. Summer is the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.28 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.55 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a significant drop to 1.31 kWh/day, while winter production plummets to a mere 0.40 kWh/day.

The stark contrast between summer and winter production is due to Fairbanks' high latitude. During summer, the city experiences nearly 22 hours of daylight at its peak, making it an excellent time for solar energy generation. Conversely, winter days are extremely short, with less than 4 hours of daylight at the winter solstice, severely limiting solar production.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Fairbanks, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 54 degrees facing south. This angle helps optimize energy capture during the productive summer months while also improving performance during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Fairbanks:

1. Snow accumulation: Fairbanks receives significant snowfall, which can cover panels and reduce efficiency.
2. Extreme cold: Very low temperatures can affect solar panel performance and battery storage systems.
3. Air quality: Fairbanks sometimes experiences poor air quality due to temperature inversions, which can reduce solar irradiance.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar in Fairbanks:

• Use steep panel angles and smooth panel surfaces to encourage snow sliding off.
• Install snow removal systems or plan for regular manual clearing.
• Choose cold-resistant solar panels and batteries designed for extreme temperatures.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to address air quality issues.

While Fairbanks presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the energy mix, especially during the long, sunny summer days.

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 Fairbanks

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 64.8507, Longitude: -147.8738 (Fairbanks, 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 54° South in Fairbanks, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fairbanks, United States (Lat/Long 64.8507, -147.8738) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 54° 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 Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 54° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
48° South in Summer	66° South in Autumn	75° South in Winter	57° 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 Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, United States

Fairbanks, Alaska, is situated in a unique topographical setting that combines diverse landscapes. The city itself lies in the Tanana Valley, a broad, flat area surrounded by rolling hills and distant mountain ranges. This valley, formed by the meandering Tanana River, provides a relatively level expanse in an otherwise rugged region. To the north and east of Fairbanks, the landscape gradually rises into the Yukon-Tanana Uplands. These are characterized by gentle, rounded hills and low mountains, with elevations typically ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level. The hills are often covered in boreal forests, primarily consisting of spruce and birch trees.

Southern Panorama

Looking south from Fairbanks, one can see the impressive Alaska Range dominating the horizon. Although these mountains are about 100 miles away, their snow-capped peaks, including the massive Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), are often visible on clear days. This mountain range forms a dramatic backdrop to the city's southern views.

Western Landscape

To the west, the topography gradually transitions into more lowland areas as it approaches the vast Yukon Flats. This region is characterized by numerous small lakes, wetlands, and meandering streams, creating a patchwork of water and land.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas near Fairbanks for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would likely be found in the flatter areas of the Tanana Valley, particularly to the south and southeast of the city. These areas offer several advantages: 1. Relatively flat terrain, which simplifies installation and reduces costs associated with land preparation. 2. Proximity to existing infrastructure, including roads and power transmission lines. 3. Lower elevation compared to surrounding hills, potentially reducing exposure to extreme weather conditions. However, it's important to note that Fairbanks' high latitude presents unique challenges for solar energy. The region experiences extremely long days in summer but very short days in winter, which affects the consistency of solar power generation throughout the year. Additionally, snow cover during the long winter months can impact solar panel efficiency. Despite these challenges, advances in solar technology and the increasing efficiency of panels are making solar power more viable in northern latitudes. The vast, open spaces around Fairbanks could potentially accommodate large-scale installations, provided they are carefully planned to maximize the available sunlight during the productive summer months.

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.