Solar PV Analysis of Fruitland, United States
The location at Fruitland, Idaho in the United States is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar PV all year round. However, the effectiveness varies depending on the season.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.92 kWh of electricity per day for each kW of installed solar panels. This is quite high and makes it an ideal time to generate solar power.
In autumn, this drops to 3.87 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels - less than half of what you could produce in summer but still a fair amount.
Winter sees the lowest production with only 1.98 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels being generated due to shorter daylight hours and often overcast weather conditions.
Spring sees a significant increase again with around 6.63 kWh/day per kW which makes it another good time for generating solar energy.
If you're installing fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 37 degrees South will give you maximum total year-round production from your PV system.
There may be some environmental or weather factors that could potentially impede your ability to generate solar power here though:
- Idaho experiences seasonal snowfall which can cover your panels reducing their effectiveness.
- Dust and debris might accumulate on your panels if there are nearby agricultural activities or construction sites.
- The area also has its share of cloudy days particularly during winter months which reduces sunlight exposure necessary for power generation.
To overcome these issues:
- Regular cleaning and maintenance should be performed especially after snowfalls or dusty days.
- Using automated systems that can adjust panel angles based on sun's position throughout the day might help optimize production even during less sunny periods.
Overall, while not perfect all-year round due to seasonal variations and potential environmental challenges, Fruitland, Idaho offers decent opportunities for harnessing renewable energy through Solar PV systems with proper installation and maintenance practices in place.
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 Fruitland
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.9991, Longitude: -116.9167 (Fruitland, 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 37° South in Fruitland, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fruitland, United States (Lat/Long 43.9991, -116.9167) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Fruitland, 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 Fruitland, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 36° 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 Fruitland, 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 Fruitland, 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 Fruitland, United States
Fruitland, United States is located in the state of Idaho. The topography around Fruitland is quite varied with areas of flat plains and gentle rolling hills. It's situated near the Snake River and has a mix of farmland, residential areas, and patches of forested land.
The region gets ample sunlight throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. Large scale solar PV projects would ideally require flat or gently sloping lands for maximum efficiency. Therefore, unused farmlands or open plains in this area could be most suited for such projects.
In addition to physical topography, other factors that should be considered when deciding on locations for large-scale solar PV include proximity to transmission lines (for ease of connecting the generated power to the grid), local zoning laws and regulations (some areas may have restrictions on land use), potential environmental impact (such as disruption to wildlife or water sources), and community acceptance.
It's also important to note that while Idaho has significant potential for solar power generation, it currently lags behind many other U.S states in terms of installed capacity. This suggests there may be untapped opportunities in this region for large-scale solar development.
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: Tuesday 7th 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.
