Fountain, Colorado offers reasonably good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation typical of its Northern Temperate Zone location.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 7.58 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 6.23 kWh per day per kW, offering excellent production as daylight hours increase. Autumn sees a notable decline to 4.88 kWh per day per kW as the sun angle decreases and weather patterns change. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 3.25 kWh per day per kW, representing less than half of summer production levels. For optimal year-round energy capture, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual production by balancing the sun's varying position throughout the seasons.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Fountain, Colorado can impact solar energy generation:

• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall can cover panels and significantly reduce or eliminate energy production until cleared
• Hail storms: Colorado's Front Range experiences frequent hail events that can damage solar panels
• High altitude UV exposure: Intense ultraviolet radiation can accelerate panel degradation over time
• Temperature fluctuations: Extreme temperature swings can stress panel materials and reduce efficiency

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps snow slide off naturally, reducing manual clearing requirements. Choosing panels with anti-reflective coatings and robust tempered glass provides better hail resistance. Proper ventilation spacing behind panels prevents overheating during hot summer days, maintaining efficiency. Using high-quality mounting systems designed for wind and thermal expansion helps panels withstand Colorado's variable weather conditions. Regular maintenance schedules should include snow removal protocols and periodic cleaning to remove dust and debris that accumulate in the semi-arid climate. Overall, Fountain, Colorado represents a moderately favorable location for solar energy generation, with excellent summer and spring production offsetting the more limited winter output.

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 Fountain

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6822, Longitude: -104.7008 (Fountain, 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 34° South in Fountain, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fountain, United States (Lat/Long 38.6822, -104.7008) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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, 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, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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, 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, 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, United States

Topographical Features Around Fountain, Colorado

Fountain sits in the Arkansas River Valley in El Paso County, Colorado, positioned at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain foothills. The immediate area around the city features relatively flat to gently rolling terrain, with elevations ranging from approximately 5,500 to 6,000 feet above sea level. This location places Fountain in the transition zone between the dramatic mountain landscapes to the west and the expansive Great Plains stretching eastward.

The topography is characterized by broad, open valleys interspersed with low ridges and mesas. The Arkansas River flows through the region, creating a natural corridor that has shaped much of the local landscape. To the west, the terrain gradually rises toward the Rampart Range, while eastward the land opens into the high plains of eastern Colorado. The area features minimal tree cover outside of riparian zones along waterways, with much of the landscape consisting of grasslands and semi-arid shrublands typical of the Colorado Piedmont.

Several prominent geological features define the broader region, including Cheyenne Mountain to the southwest and the Palmer Divide to the north. These formations create a varied landscape of mesas, buttes, and gentle slopes that characterize much of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. The underlying geology consists primarily of sedimentary rocks overlying the Colorado Piedmont, with occasional granite outcrops from the Pikes Peak batholith visible in some areas.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The expansive flat and gently sloping terrain east and southeast of Fountain presents exceptional opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas benefit from minimal topographical obstacles, allowing for efficient panel placement and maintenance access. The relatively uniform elevation changes across these eastern plains create ideal conditions for maximizing solar exposure while minimizing the complexity and cost of installation.

The broad mesa tops and gently rolling hills found throughout the region offer additional suitable locations for solar development. These elevated areas provide excellent exposure to solar radiation while remaining accessible for construction and maintenance activities. The sparse vegetation and limited agricultural use in many of these areas reduce potential land-use conflicts that might complicate solar project development.

Areas along the Palmer Divide, particularly those with southern-facing slopes, represent prime locations for solar installations. The elevated position of these sites, combined with their orientation, creates favorable conditions for solar energy generation. The relatively stable geological conditions throughout the region provide solid foundations for large-scale solar arrays, while the existing transportation infrastructure facilitates both construction logistics and ongoing maintenance operations.

The open character of the landscape minimizes shading concerns that might affect solar panel performance, while the semi-arid climate reduces issues related to excessive vegetation growth around installations. The proximity to existing electrical transmission infrastructure, including lines serving the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, enhances the viability of solar projects by reducing interconnection costs and complexity.

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.