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 Indiana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.6189, Longitude: -79.159 (Indiana, 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 35° South in Indiana, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Indiana, United States (Lat/Long 40.6189, -79.159) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° 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	44° South in Autumn	55° 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, United States

The region around Indiana, located at 40.6189 latitude and -79.159 longitude, sits in western Pennsylvania rather than the state of Indiana. This area is characterized by the rolling hills and valleys typical of the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province. The landscape features moderate elevation changes, with hills generally ranging between 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea level. The topography was shaped primarily by glacial activity and subsequent erosion patterns, creating a varied terrain with numerous streams and small rivers cutting through the countryside. The area exhibits classic ridge and valley formations, with tree-covered hillsides and agricultural land occupying the flatter portions. The Allegheny River flows nearby, having carved significant valleys through the plateau over geological time. This creates a patchwork of different elevations and slopes throughout the region, with some steeper hillsides contrasting with more gradual inclines and relatively flat valley floors.

Solar PV Potential in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas would be the broader, flatter valley floors and gentler south-facing slopes. These locations offer several advantages for solar development. The valley floors, particularly those that have been cleared for agricultural use, provide expansive, contiguous areas where large arrays could be installed with minimal need for terrain modification. These areas typically have good road access for construction and maintenance purposes. South-facing slopes in the region, even those with moderate inclines, can be particularly advantageous for solar PV installations. These natural inclines can optimize the angle of solar panels toward the sun's path, potentially increasing energy capture efficiency. However, steeper slopes would require more extensive and costly site preparation, making gentler inclines more economically viable. Areas to avoid would include the heavily forested hillsides, which would require significant clearing and grading, creating environmental concerns and adding substantial costs to any development. Similarly, flood-prone areas near rivers and streams would present risks to infrastructure and should be avoided when considering large-scale installations. The mosaic of public and private land ownership in the region also influences site selection, with larger tracts of single-ownership land being preferable for development. Former industrial sites, reclaimed mine lands, and underutilized agricultural properties in the region could offer promising opportunities for solar development, combining appropriate topography with reduced concerns about displacement of productive land uses.

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.