Greeley, Colorado, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical coordinates (40.3851, -104.6759) offer a mix of advantages and challenges for solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy output in Greeley varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.48 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.79 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.50 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.85 kWh/day.

This seasonal variation indicates that Greeley is particularly well-suited for solar energy production from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer days and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Greeley, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 35-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation helps optimize sunlight capture throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Greeley's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
• Occasional hailstorms may pose a risk to solar panel integrity

To mitigate these issues, installers can implement preventative measures such as using durable, hail-resistant panels and installing panels at a steeper angle to facilitate snow sliding off. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning can help ensure optimal performance year-round.

Despite these challenges, Greeley's abundant sunshine and relatively mild climate make it a suitable location for solar PV installations, with the potential for significant energy production, especially during the warmer months.

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 Greeley

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.3851, Longitude: -104.6759 (Greeley, 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 35° South in Greeley, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greeley, United States (Lat/Long 40.3851, -104.6759) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Greeley, 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 Greeley, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Greeley, 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 Greeley, 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 Greeley, United States

The topography around Greeley, Colorado, in the United States, is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with subtle variations in elevation. Located on the western edge of the Great Plains, Greeley sits at an elevation of approximately 4,675 feet (1,425 meters) above sea level. The terrain in this area is primarily composed of gently rolling prairies and grasslands, with occasional low hills and shallow valleys. To the west of Greeley, the landscape gradually transitions into more pronounced hills as it approaches the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. However, the immediate vicinity of Greeley remains predominantly level, with only minor undulations in the terrain. The South Platte River and its tributaries, including the Cache la Poudre River, have carved shallow valleys through the area, creating some localized variations in the topography.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

The areas surrounding Greeley offer several favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The relatively flat terrain and open spaces provide ample opportunities for the development of solar farms. The regions to the east and northeast of Greeley are particularly well-suited for such projects due to their expansive, unobstructed landscapes. These areas benefit from minimal topographical barriers, allowing for optimal solar panel placement and maximizing exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The lack of significant geographical features also reduces the potential for shading, which can negatively impact solar energy production. Additionally, the semi-arid climate of the region, characterized by abundant sunshine and low precipitation, further enhances the suitability for solar PV installations. The high number of clear, sunny days throughout the year contributes to increased solar energy potential. It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of Greeley offers favorable conditions, developers should also consider factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, land availability, and local zoning regulations when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects. Areas slightly further from the city center, where there is less competition for land use, may provide more opportunities for extensive solar farm 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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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.