Solar PV Analysis of Grimes, United States
Based on the given data, Grimes, Iowa is a decent location for year-round solar energy production, although it's not ideal. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the seasons due to changes in sunlight exposure.
In summer and spring, you can expect more electricity production with averages of 6.85kWh/day and 5.34kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively. These are great times for generating solar energy because the days are longer and there's more sunshine.
Autumn sees a decrease in output to about 3.75kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sun rays as compared to summer or spring.
Winter has the lowest output at around 2.64kWh/day per kW because there are fewer hours of daylight and often overcast skies block sunlight from reaching the panels.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, it would be best if you tilt your panels at an angle of 36 degrees facing South which allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible all year round.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect your solar production such as weather conditions like snowfall during winter months which can cover up your panels reducing their effectiveness or even damaging them; also high winds could pose a risk too by knocking over poorly secured installations or causing debris to hit them.
To prevent these issues impacting on your energy generation:
1) Regularly clean off any snow accumulation on top of your panels so they can get maximum sun exposure.
2) Make sure you properly secure your installation against wind damage – consider professional installation if necessary.
3) Install protective measures like barriers or covers against potential debris damage during windy conditions.
4) Monitor local weather forecasts closely so you're aware when severe weather is expected allowing time for preventative action where needed.
Remember though while Grimes isn't perfect for solar energy production, with the right preparation and maintenance you can still generate a significant amount of electricity from your panels.
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 Grimes
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.7026, Longitude: -93.7832 (Grimes, 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 36° South in Grimes, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grimes, United States (Lat/Long 41.7026, -93.7832) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Grimes, 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 Grimes, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Grimes, 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 Grimes, 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 Grimes, United States
Grimes, United States is located in the state of Iowa. The topography around Grimes is generally flat to gently rolling plains. This type of terrain is characteristic of the central part of North America and is ideal for agriculture, which dominates much of Iowa's landscape.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with a lot of sun exposure and minimal shading are best suited for this type of renewable energy generation. Given its flat to gently rolling topography, many areas around Grimes could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, it's not just about physical geography when considering suitability for solar PV. Other factors such as local climate (amount and intensity of sunlight), land use restrictions or regulations, proximity to power grids or other infrastructure can also play a significant role in determining feasibility.
Given these considerations, open fields that are not used for agriculture or other purposes would likely be most suitable for large-scale solar PV near Grimes. Also worth considering are large rooftops on commercial or industrial buildings which can also accommodate substantial solar arrays without requiring additional land use.
Lastly but importantly, any proposal for large-scale solar would need to take into account social and economic factors including local community views and support as well as financial viability.
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: Monday 6th 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.
