Solar PV Analysis of Green Valley, United States
Green Valley, Arizona is a pretty good location for year-round solar energy production. During the different seasons, you can expect to generate varying amounts of electricity from each kilowatt of installed solar panels: about 7.41 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer, 5.69 kWh/day in Autumn, 4.43 kWh/day in Winter and 8.14 kWh/day in Spring.
This means that while there's less sunlight during Autumn and Winter months resulting in lower energy generation during these periods, Spring and Summer more than make up for it with their high output levels due to longer daylight hours and greater sun intensity.
The best time to maximize solar power generation at this location would be during the Spring when daily output reaches its peak at around 8.14 kWh per day for every kilowatt of installed solar panel capacity.
To get the most out of your panels throughout the year at this location, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of approximately 28 degrees - this is found to be the ideal angle here for capturing maximum sunlight over all four seasons.
As far as potential factors that could affect your solar production go, Green Valley being located within a desert climate might experience dust storms which can cover your panels with dust or sand reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning maintenance will therefore be necessary especially after such events to ensure optimal performance.
In addition, high temperatures common in deserts like Green Valley may also slightly decrease the efficiency of PV panels as they tend to perform better under cooler conditions; but considering Arizona’s abundant sunshine throughout much of the year it’s not likely going to significantly impact overall annual power yield from your system.
So overall while there are certain environmental factors that could potentially affect your system's effectiveness here they're not major obstacles – just things you need take into account when installing and maintaining a PV system at this location.
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 Green Valley
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.8547, Longitude: -111.0087 (Green Valley, 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 28° South in Green Valley, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Green Valley, United States (Lat/Long 31.8547, -111.0087) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Green Valley, 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 Green Valley, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 47° South in Winter | 25° 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 Green Valley, 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 Green Valley, 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 Green Valley, United States
Green Valley, located in the state of Arizona, United States, is characterized by a desert landscape with a relatively flat to gently rolling terrain. It has an average elevation of about 2,900 feet above sea level. The area is surrounded by mountain ranges including the Santa Rita Mountains to the east and the Tumacacori Highlands to the south.
Given its geographical location and topography, Green Valley receives abundant sunlight almost throughout the year making it suitable for large-scale solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations.
The most suited areas nearby for large-scale solar PV would be:
1. Flat Desert Areas: The vast expanses of flat desert areas around Green Valley are ideal for setting up large scale solar farms due to their high sun exposure and minimal shading.
2. Rooftops: Large rooftops in commercial or industrial zones can also be utilized for installing solar panels.
3. Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed sites that are not currently in use could also serve as potential locations for such projects without disturbing natural habitats or agricultural activities.
4. Along Highways: There may also be opportunities to install solar arrays along highways or other transportation corridors where land is generally less productive but still exposed to ample sunlight.
It's important however that any proposed site undergoes a thorough feasibility study considering factors like local climate conditions, grid connectivity, environmental impact among others before proceeding with installation.
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: Sunday 14th of July 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.
