Fountain Hills, Arizona, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers an excellent location for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The area's abundant sunshine and clear skies contribute to its high potential for solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar PV systems in Fountain Hills demonstrate strong performance throughout the year, with some seasonal variations:

• Spring: 7.89 kWh/day per kW installed (highest output)
• Summer: 7.82 kWh/day per kW installed
• Autumn: 5.46 kWh/day per kW installed
• Winter: 4.07 kWh/day per kW installed (lowest output)

The region experiences peak solar generation during spring and summer months, with a slight decrease in autumn and winter. However, even during the winter months, solar production remains relatively high compared to many other locations.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Fountain Hills, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees tilted towards the South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Fountain Hills is generally an ideal location for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and sand: The desert environment can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue. 2. High temperatures: Extreme heat during summer months may slightly decrease panel efficiency. Choosing high-quality, heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help maintain optimal performance. 3. Monsoon season: Although infrequent, summer monsoons can bring brief periods of cloud cover and dust storms. Installing panels at the optimal angle and using micro-inverters or power optimizers can help minimize the impact of temporary shading.

Overall, Fountain Hills provides an excellent environment for solar energy production, with its high number of sunny days and optimal latitude for solar exposure. By addressing the few environmental challenges through proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this location can achieve consistently high energy output throughout the year.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Fountain Hills

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.608, Longitude: -111.7233 (Fountain Hills, 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 30° South in Fountain Hills, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fountain Hills, United States (Lat/Long 33.608, -111.7233) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Fountain Hills, 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 Fountain Hills, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	26° 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 Fountain Hills, 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 Fountain Hills, 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 Fountain Hills, United States

The topography around Fountain Hills, Arizona, is characterized by its striking desert landscape and varied terrain. Located in the northeastern part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Fountain Hills is situated in the McDowell Mountain foothills. The area features a mix of gently rolling hills, rugged mountains, and expansive desert plains. To the west and northwest of Fountain Hills, the McDowell Mountains rise prominently, with peaks reaching elevations of over 4,000 feet. These mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the town and offer numerous hiking trails and recreational opportunities. The eastern and southern portions of the area gradually slope down towards the Verde River, which flows to the east of Fountain Hills. The landscape is dotted with saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, and other desert vegetation typical of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. The famous fountain, which gives the town its name, is situated in a man-made lake at the center of the community, adding a unique feature to the natural topography.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample flat or gently sloping land, minimal shading from surrounding terrain, and good access to existing infrastructure. The desert plains to the east and southeast of Fountain Hills offer promising potential for solar development. These areas typically have fewer obstructions and receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. The relatively flat terrain would simplify construction and maximize solar panel efficiency. Another suitable area might be found in the open spaces between Fountain Hills and the neighboring communities of Mesa and Scottsdale to the south and southwest. These areas often feature expansive, undeveloped land that could accommodate large solar arrays. It's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to consider environmental impacts, particularly on the fragile desert ecosystem. Areas closer to existing power infrastructure and away from sensitive habitats or protected lands would likely be preferred for such projects. While the mountainous areas to the west may receive ample sunlight, their rugged terrain and potential for shading make them less ideal for large-scale solar installations. However, smaller-scale projects might still be feasible on suitable sites within these areas. Overall, the region around Fountain Hills offers significant potential for solar energy development, thanks to its abundant sunshine and varied landscape. Careful site selection and planning would be crucial to balance energy production goals with environmental conservation efforts in this unique desert setting.

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.