Solar PV Analysis of Hesperus, United States
Hesperus, Colorado, is a fairly good location for year-round solar energy production due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer and spring, when days are longer and sunnier, each kilowatt of installed solar power could produce around 7.87kWh/day and 7.19kWh/day respectively. This means that these are the best times for generating solar energy at this location.
However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available, your panels will generate less electricity - about 4.92kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 3.30kWh/day in winter.
In order to maximize the total amount of electricity generated throughout the year from your solar panels at this location, it would be ideal to tilt them towards south at an angle of about 32 degrees.
As for potential obstacles that might hinder energy production here: Hesperus does experience some snowfall which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping them altogether if not cleared regularly. However this problem can be mitigated by installing a snow guard or similar device on your panel setup to prevent accumulation on top of them.
Another factor might be dust storms or high winds which can deposit dirt onto the surface of your panels making them less efficient over time unless cleaned regularly – so having a plan for regular cleaning would also help ensure better performance.
Lastly just remember that trees or other tall structures may cast shadows onto your panel installation during different times of day/year – so choosing an unobstructed location (or trimming/removing obstructions) will also help maximize their performance year-round.
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 Hesperus
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.1654, Longitude: -108.1219 (Hesperus, 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 32° South in Hesperus, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hesperus, United States (Lat/Long 37.1654, -108.1219) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Hesperus, 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 Hesperus, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Hesperus, 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 Hesperus, 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 Hesperus, United States
Hesperus, United States is located in the state of Colorado and is predominantly characterized by mountainous terrain as it's situated in the Rocky Mountains region. The area around Hesperus features a mix of forested areas, open spaces, and some agricultural lands. Elevations vary greatly due to the presence of mountains.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are typically most suitable to minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. In this regard, open spaces and agricultural lands in the region could be potential sites for such installations.
However, other factors also need to be considered when identifying suitable locations for solar farms. These include solar irradiance levels (the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground), proximity to transmission lines or substations (for easier connection to the grid), land use regulations (zoning laws may restrict where solar farms can be built), environmental considerations (such as impact on wildlife or sensitive ecosystems) etc.
Given Colorado's high altitude and generally sunny climate, there may be good potential for solar power generation in this area despite its mountainous topography. Specific site suitability would need further detailed analysis considering all these factors.
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 6th 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.
