Solar PV Analysis of Fredericksburg, United States
Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the United States is a decent place for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced by each kilowatt of installed solar power varies throughout the year. During Summer, you can expect about 6.46 kilowatt-hours per day and Spring produces around 5.73 kilowatt-hours per day; these are the best times to generate solar power at this location due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
Autumn gives a lower output with approximately 4.01 kilowatt-hours per day while Winter has the least at just about 2.47 kilowatt-hours daily because of shorter days and less direct sunlight.
To get the most out of your solar PV system in Fredericksburg throughout the year, it's recommended to tilt your panels towards South at an angle of 33 degrees; this allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible.
However, there could be local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar PV system in Fredericksburg. For instance, weather conditions like frequent cloud cover or heavy snowfall during winter months may reduce sunlight exposure on your panels thereby reducing their output levels significantly.
Also environmental factors such as tall trees or buildings casting shadows over your installation site can block direct sunlight from reaching your panels which would also decrease their efficiency.
To prevent these issues and ensure greater energy production from your solar PV system, consider installing them in an open area free from potential obstructions like trees or buildings if possible; trimming branches that cast shadows over them regularly; installing snow guards to prevent heavy snow accumulation on panels during winter months; and maintaining them properly including regular cleaning for optimal performance.
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 Fredericksburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.3, Longitude: -77.4739 (Fredericksburg, 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 33° South in Fredericksburg, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fredericksburg, United States (Lat/Long 38.3, -77.4739) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, United States
Fredericksburg, United States is located in the state of Virginia. The topography around Fredericksburg is mostly flat to gently rolling hills, with a mix of urban and suburban development interspersed with forests and farmland. There are also several rivers and streams in the area.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open areas with little shading from trees or buildings would be most suitable. This could include agricultural land or other open spaces that are not being used for other purposes.
However, it's important to note that while physical characteristics like topography and sunlight availability play a big role in determining suitability for solar energy production, there are many other factors to consider as well such as local climate conditions (like frequency of cloud cover), proximity to existing power grid infrastructure for energy transmission, local regulations related to renewable energy development etc.
A detailed site assessment by a professional solar developer would be needed to accurately identify the most suitable locations nearby for large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Wednesday 22nd 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.
