Globe, Arizona represents an excellent location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 33.4054, -110.7865. The area demonstrates consistently strong solar production potential across all seasons, making it highly suitable for both residential and commercial solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Production Performance

The solar energy output data reveals Globe's exceptional solar resource availability throughout the year. Spring produces the highest energy yields at 7.78 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, closely followed by summer at 7.71 kWh per day. These peak seasons benefit from optimal sun angles and extended periods of clear weather typical of Arizona's desert climate. Autumn maintains solid production levels at 5.42 kWh per day, while winter shows the lowest but still respectable output at 4.02 kWh per day. Even during the winter months, Globe's solar production remains viable due to the region's abundant sunshine and minimal cloud cover. For maximum year-round energy production from a fixed-panel installation at this location, solar panels should be tilted at 29 degrees facing south. This optimal angle accounts for the sun's seasonal path across the sky and maximizes total annual energy capture.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors in Globe, Arizona can potentially impact solar panel performance and require consideration during installation planning. Dust accumulation represents the most significant challenge for solar installations in this desert region. Arizona's arid climate, combined with frequent dust storms and minimal rainfall, causes fine particles to settle on panel surfaces, reducing light transmission and energy output. Regular cleaning schedules and consideration of self-cleaning panel technologies can help maintain optimal performance. Extreme heat during summer months can reduce panel efficiency, as photovoltaic cells typically lose efficiency as temperatures rise above their optimal operating range. Proper panel mounting systems that allow adequate airflow beneath the panels help dissipate heat and maintain better performance during peak summer temperatures.

Preventative Installation Measures

Several installation strategies can maximize solar energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install panels with adequate spacing from roof surfaces to promote cooling airflow
• Use mounting systems designed for thermal expansion in extreme heat
• Consider anti-soiling coatings or self-cleaning panel surfaces to reduce dust accumulation
• Plan for regular maintenance access to facilitate cleaning and inspection
• Select panels and inverters rated for high-temperature operation

The occasional severe weather events, including monsoon storms with high winds and hail, require robust mounting systems and panels rated for appropriate wind and impact resistance. Proper installation following local building codes ensures system durability and longevity. Despite these considerations, Globe's location offers outstanding solar potential year-round, with spring and summer providing peak production periods ideal for maximizing energy generation and economic returns from solar investments.

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 Globe

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.4054, Longitude: -110.7865 (Globe, 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 29° South in Globe, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Globe, United States (Lat/Long 33.4054, -110.7865) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Globe, 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 Globe, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° 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 Globe, 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 Globe, 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 Globe, United States

Topographical Features Around Globe, Arizona

Globe sits in the heart of Arizona's rugged mountain country, nestled within the Pinal Mountains at an elevation of approximately 3,500 feet above sea level. The town occupies a valley position surrounded by dramatic terrain that includes steep hillsides, rocky outcrops, and deep canyons carved by centuries of erosion. The landscape is characterized by the typical Basin and Range topography common throughout much of Arizona, where mountain ranges alternate with broad valleys and desert basins. The immediate vicinity of Globe features challenging terrain with significant elevation changes occurring over relatively short distances. To the north and east, the Pinal Mountains rise sharply, creating a backdrop of peaks that reach elevations exceeding 7,000 feet. These mountains are composed primarily of ancient volcanic rocks and sedimentary formations, creating a complex geological landscape with numerous ridges, ravines, and steep-sided valleys. South and west of Globe, the terrain begins to open up into broader valleys and gentler slopes, though the landscape remains punctuated by smaller mountain ranges and isolated peaks. The Salt River runs through the region, having carved deep canyons and created some flatter alluvial areas along its course. However, much of this river corridor features steep canyon walls that limit large-scale development opportunities.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations lie primarily to the southwest and west of Globe, where the mountainous terrain gradually gives way to more moderate topography. These areas offer several advantages including gentler slopes that require less grading and earthwork for installation, reduced shading from surrounding peaks, and better accessibility for construction equipment and maintenance vehicles. The broad valleys extending toward the Phoenix metropolitan area, roughly 60 to 80 miles west of Globe, present the most suitable conditions for large-scale solar development. These locations feature relatively flat terrain with gradual slopes that are ideal for solar panel arrays, while still maintaining sufficient elevation to avoid potential flooding issues during seasonal weather events. Areas along the western approaches to the Pinal Mountains, particularly those with southern exposure and minimal obstruction from ridgelines, would be well-suited for solar installations. The key consideration in this region is finding locations that balance accessibility with optimal solar exposure, as many of the flatter areas may be shadowed by surrounding peaks during certain times of the day or year. The terrain immediately southeast of Globe, while still mountainous, includes some mesa-like formations and broader ridgetops that could potentially accommodate smaller-scale solar installations. However, these locations would require careful site selection to ensure adequate access roads and transmission infrastructure could be developed cost-effectively. Agricultural and ranch lands in the broader valleys surrounding the Globe area might also present opportunities, particularly in areas where the land use is transitioning or where dual-use applications could be considered. These locations often have the advantage of existing road access and may be closer to electrical transmission infrastructure.

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.