Solar PV Analysis of Fishers, United States
Fishers, Indiana, is not an ideal location for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies greatly depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This decreases to 3.74 kWh/day in autumn and drops even further to just 2.20 kWh/day in winter before increasing again to 5.51 kWh/day in spring.
The best times of the year for generating solar energy at this location are during the summer and spring when sunlight is more abundant compared with other seasons.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 35 degrees towards south.
There are some environmental factors that could hinder solar production in Fishers, Indiana as well as weather-related challenges such as cloud cover and snowfall which may reduce sunlight reaching the panels especially during winter months or cause damage if not properly managed.
To overcome these issues:
- You might consider installing a tracking system so your panels move with the sun throughout the day maximizing exposure.
- Regular maintenance including cleaning off any debris like leaves or snow will ensure they're working efficiently.
- Using high-quality durable materials would also help withstand harsh weather conditions ensuring longevity and efficiency over time.
Remember though every situation is unique so it's always good idea to consult with a local professional who understands both your needs and local conditions before making any decisions regarding installation or maintenance plans for a PV system.
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 Fishers
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9564, Longitude: -85.9651 (Fishers, 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 35° South in Fishers, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fishers, United States (Lat/Long 39.9564, -85.9651) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Fishers, 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 Fishers, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 33° 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 Fishers, 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 Fishers, 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 Fishers, United States
Fishers, Indiana, United States is located in the Central Till Plains region of the country. The topography is generally flat to gently rolling with some areas of low relief. The area is characterized by fertile soils and a mix of urban and agricultural land uses.
Large scale solar PV farms require large tracts of relatively flat land that are free from shading. They also need to be close to transmission lines for easy connection to the grid.
Given these requirements, farmland or other open spaces on the outskirts of Fishers could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Areas such as those near Geist Reservoir might be suitable due to their proximity to water (which can help cool solar panels), although potential impacts on wildlife and local ecosystems would have to be carefully considered.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power also depends heavily on factors like legal restrictions, economic feasibility, access rights etc., so a detailed feasibility study would need to be conducted before any specific locations could definitively be identified as suitable for this purpose.
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 10th 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.
