Solar PV Analysis of Hazleton, United States
Hazleton, Pennsylvania, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 40.9485 and longitude -75.9565 provides varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Hazleton fluctuates significantly with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.99 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 5.36 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, averaging 3.43 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.14 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most favorable months for solar energy production in Hazleton are typically from late spring through early fall. This period, roughly from May to September, offers longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies, maximizing solar panel efficiency. However, even during the less productive winter months, modern solar technology can still generate a meaningful amount of electricity.
Panel Installation Considerations
To optimize year-round solar production in Hazleton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the city's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors can impact solar production in Hazleton:
- Snowfall: Hazleton experiences significant snowfall during winter months, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency if not properly managed.
- Cloud cover: The region is prone to partly cloudy conditions, particularly in winter and early spring, potentially reducing solar output.
- Tree shading: The area's vegetation could cast shadows on solar panels, especially in residential settings.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal solar energy production, consider the following measures:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use snow-removal tools designed for solar panels
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove debris and maximize light absorption
- Carefully plan panel placement to minimize shading from trees and nearby structures
- Consider using microinverters or power optimizers to reduce the impact of partial shading
While Hazleton may not offer ideal year-round conditions for solar energy production, proper planning and installation can still yield significant benefits. The substantial output during summer and spring months can help offset the reduced production during autumn and winter, making solar a viable renewable energy option for this Pennsylvania city.
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 Hazleton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.9485, Longitude: -75.9565 (Hazleton, 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 Hazleton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hazleton, United States (Lat/Long 40.9485, -75.9565) 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 Hazleton, 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 Hazleton, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Hazleton, 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 Hazleton, 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 Hazleton, United States
The area around Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is characterized by a diverse and varied topography typical of the Appalachian Mountain region. Hazleton itself sits on a plateau at an elevation of about 1,700 feet above sea level, which is relatively high compared to the surrounding areas.
To the north and east of Hazleton, the landscape is dominated by the Pocono Mountains, featuring rolling hills, forested ridges, and steep valleys. These mountains are part of the larger Appalachian range and provide scenic vistas and outdoor recreational opportunities.
To the south and west, the terrain becomes more varied, with a mix of hills, valleys, and flatter areas. This region is part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, characterized by long, parallel ridges separated by broad valleys. Some of these valleys contain farmland and more gently rolling terrain.
Numerous streams and rivers cut through the landscape, including the Lehigh River to the east and the Susquehanna River further to the west. These waterways have carved out picturesque gorges and valleys over millions of years.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas near Hazleton would likely be found in the broader valleys to the south and west of the city. These areas tend to have more open, flatter terrain that would be ideal for solar farms. Specifically, parts of the Wyoming Valley and the Susquehanna Valley, located about 20-30 miles southwest of Hazleton, could offer promising locations.
The ideal sites would have the following characteristics:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping land to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure
- Open areas with minimal tree cover or other obstructions that could shade the panels
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection
- Areas that are not prime agricultural land or ecologically sensitive
It's important to note that while the mountainous areas around Hazleton offer beautiful scenery, they are generally less suitable for large-scale solar installations due to their steep slopes, forest cover, and potential for shading. However, smaller-scale solar projects could still be feasible on south-facing slopes or cleared areas within the more mountainous regions.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 31st of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
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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.
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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.
