Hurricane, Utah, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 37.1753° N latitude and 113.29° W longitude, this area experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Hurricane demonstrates significant fluctuations across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.89 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 7.38 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 5.01 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.22 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

Based on these figures, the ideal times for solar energy generation in Hurricane are during the summer and spring months. These seasons offer extended daylight hours and generally clearer skies, maximizing the potential for solar power production. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive autumn and winter months, the area still maintains a reasonable level of solar energy generation.

Panel Installation Considerations

For those opting for a fixed panel installation in Hurricane, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to account for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude, ensuring the most efficient capture of solar energy throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Hurricane generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Dust storms: The arid climate of Utah can sometimes lead to dust storms, which may temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall could potentially cover panels, reducing their effectiveness.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels at the recommended angle can also help with natural cleaning during rainfall and snow melt. Additionally, considering snow guards or heated elements for panels in winter can prevent snow accumulation and ensure consistent energy production.

Overall, Hurricane, Utah presents an ideal location for solar PV energy generation, with its high solar potential during most of the year and manageable environmental challenges.

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 Hurricane

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.1753, Longitude: -113.29 (Hurricane, 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 Hurricane, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hurricane, United States (Lat/Long 37.1753, -113.29) 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 Hurricane, 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 Hurricane, 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	29° 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 Hurricane, 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 Hurricane, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Hurricane, United States

The topography around Hurricane, Utah, located at latitude 37.1753 and longitude -113.29, is characterized by a diverse and rugged landscape typical of the southwestern United States. This area is part of the Colorado Plateau, a region known for its striking geological features and varied terrain. The city of Hurricane itself sits in a valley surrounded by dramatic red rock formations and mesas. To the north, the landscape rises into the Pine Valley Mountains, which provide a stunning backdrop to the area. These mountains are part of the Dixie National Forest and reach elevations of over 10,000 feet. To the south and east of Hurricane, the terrain becomes more arid and desert-like, with expansive flat areas interspersed with rocky outcroppings and small canyons. This area is part of the Mojave Desert ecosystem, characterized by sparse vegetation and a hot, dry climate. One of the most notable topographical features near Hurricane is Zion National Park, located just to the east. The park is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and unique rock formations carved by the Virgin River over millions of years.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Hurricane that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have flat or gently sloping terrain, minimal shading from surrounding landscape features, and good access to existing infrastructure. The desert areas to the south and east of Hurricane present some of the best opportunities for solar PV development. These regions offer vast expanses of relatively flat land with minimal vegetation, which reduces the need for extensive site preparation. The abundance of sunshine in this arid climate is also highly favorable for solar energy production. Specific areas that might be well-suited for large-scale solar PV installations include the flatlands between Hurricane and St. George to the southwest, as well as the open desert areas extending eastward towards Kanab. These locations offer the advantage of being close enough to existing population centers and infrastructure while still providing ample space for large arrays of solar panels. It's important to note that while the topography and climate of the area are generally favorable for solar energy development, any specific project would need to undergo thorough environmental and cultural resource assessments. The unique and often fragile desert ecosystems, as well as potential archaeological sites, would need to be carefully considered in the planning process.

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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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.