Solar PV Analysis of Hereford, United States
The location in Hereford, Arizona is quite good for generating solar energy all year round. This area gets a lot of sun, which is ideal for solar power generation. The best times of the year to generate solar energy at this location are during the spring and summer seasons when the days are longest and the sun is at its highest point in the sky.
During these periods, you can expect to produce around 7.30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day in summer and about 8.14 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. In autumn and winter, when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available, you can still generate a decent amount of power - around 5.65 kWh/day in autumn and about 4.42 kWh/day in winter.
For fixed panel installations at this location, it's recommended that panels be tilted at an angle of 28 degrees facing south to get maximum exposure from the sun throughout the year.
As far as local factors that could potentially interfere with solar production go, Arizona does experience monsoon weather during late summer which could result in more cloud cover reducing sunlight exposure temporarily but overall doesn't significantly affect annual output because it's relatively short-lived compared to clear sunny days throughout most other parts of the year.
One thing to consider when installing your solar system would be dust or dirt accumulation on your panels due to desert conditions as this can reduce their efficiency over time if not cleaned regularly so regular maintenance would help ensure greater energy production by keeping them clean so they can absorb as much sunlight as possible.
Lastly, it’s important to note that while Hereford sees plenty sunshine throughout most parts of the year making it an excellent spot for harnessing solar energy; ensuring proper installation by professionals who understand local weather patterns along with regular maintenance will play a significant role towards achieving optimal results from your investment into renewable energy via solar power.
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 Hereford
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.407, Longitude: -110.21 (Hereford, 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 Hereford, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hereford, United States (Lat/Long 31.407, -110.21) 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 Hereford, 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 Hereford, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 46° South in Winter | 24° 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 Hereford, 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 Hereford, 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 Hereford, United States
Hereford, United States is located in Cochise County, Arizona. The topography of this area is characterized by a mix of desert and mountainous terrain. It's part of the Sonoran Desert region and has several mountain ranges including the Huachuca Mountains.
The region receives abundant sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, considering the topography, flat desert areas would be more suited for such installations as they provide unobstructed exposure to sunlight and are easier to build on compared to hilly or mountainous terrains.
Some potential areas nearby that could be suitable include:
1) The San Pedro Valley: This vast flat valley area east of Hereford gets ample sunlight throughout the year.
2) Sulphur Springs Valley: Located northeast of Hereford, this is another wide-open space with lots of sun exposure.
3) Areas south towards Sierra Vista: These regions also have flatter terrains that can accommodate large-scale solar installations.
It's important to note that while these areas may seem ideal based on topography and climate alone, other factors such as environmental impact assessments, access to grid infrastructure and local regulations should also be considered before planning any large-scale solar projects.
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: Saturday 20th of April 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.
