Solar Energy Production in Los Alamos, New Mexico

Los Alamos, New Mexico, located at coordinates 35.8663, -106.2676 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers generally favorable conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. The location experiences strong seasonal differences in solar production. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating approximately 7.65 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 7.41 kWh/day per installed kilowatt, making spring and summer the ideal times for solar energy production in this area. Autumn production drops to a moderate 5.33 kWh/day per installed kilowatt, while winter experiences the most significant reduction, falling to 3.70 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. This winter reduction, while substantial, still provides usable energy generation during the colder months. For residents and businesses considering solar installation in Los Alamos, it's worth noting that fixed solar panels should be installed at a 32-degree tilt facing South to maximize year-round energy production. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons based on the location's latitude and solar elevation patterns.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Los Alamos may impact solar production. The area's high elevation (over 7,000 feet) means clearer atmosphere and potentially stronger solar radiation, which benefits production. However, this mountainous region can experience significant snowfall in winter, which may temporarily cover panels and reduce output during the already lower-producing winter months. The region also experiences a monsoon season in late summer with afternoon thunderstorms that can temporarily reduce solar output. Additionally, Los Alamos's location near forested areas means wildfire smoke could occasionally diminish solar radiation reaching panels during fire seasons.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Los Alamos despite these challenges:

• Install panels at a steeper angle than the optimal 32 degrees if winter production is particularly important, as this helps snow slide off more easily
• Consider snow removal systems or regular manual clearing during winter months
• Implement robust mounting systems that can withstand occasional high winds
• Schedule regular cleaning to remove dust accumulation, particularly following dry, windy periods
• Install microinverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses when parts of an array might be shaded or covered

Despite these considerations, Los Alamos remains an excellent location for solar energy production, with annual averages that compare favorably to many other regions in the United States, particularly due to the exceptional spring and summer production values.

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 Los Alamos

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8663, Longitude: -106.2676 (Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Los Alamos, United States (Lat/Long 35.8663, -106.2676) 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 Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos, 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
20° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	51° 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 Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos, United States

Los Alamos sits on the Pajarito Plateau, a striking geological formation in northern New Mexico that rests between the Jemez Mountains to the west and the Rio Grande Valley to the east. This unique topographical setting places the town at an elevation of approximately 7,320 feet (2,231 meters) above sea level. The plateau itself is characterized by a series of finger-like mesas separated by deep canyons that were carved over millennia by seasonal water flows. The landscape surrounding Los Alamos presents dramatic elevation changes. To the west, the terrain rises toward the Jemez Mountains, culminating at the dormant volcanic caldera that forms the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The highest point in this vicinity is Caballo Mountain at about 10,480 feet (3,195 meters). To the east, the land drops significantly toward the Rio Grande, which flows through a rift valley approximately 2,000 feet below the plateau.

Canyon and Mesa Topography

The distinctive mesa-and-canyon structure of the area creates a complex topographical pattern. Major canyons in the immediate vicinity include Los Alamos Canyon, Pueblo Canyon, and Mortandad Canyon, among others. These canyons run roughly east to west, creating natural divisions in the landscape. The flat-topped mesas between these canyons provided the relatively level ground upon which the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the town itself were built. This varied terrain creates numerous microclimates and exposures across relatively short distances. South-facing slopes receive significantly more direct sunlight than north-facing slopes, creating stark differences in vegetation and environmental conditions within short geographical distances.

Potential Solar PV Development Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several areas near Los Alamos offer promising potential. The most suitable locations would include: The eastern portions of the Pajarito Plateau feature more gently sloping terrain that transitions toward the Rio Grande Valley. These areas, particularly east of White Rock (a community within Los Alamos County), offer relatively flat expanses with excellent solar exposure. The lower elevation compared to Los Alamos proper also means slightly warmer temperatures, which can benefit PV efficiency. South of Los Alamos, the terrain opens up into broader, flatter areas near the Bandelier National Monument. While parts of this land have protected status, adjacent areas with appropriate zoning could potentially accommodate solar installations. The western edge of the Española Valley, east of Los Alamos across the Rio Grande, presents another promising region. This area features more extensive flat terrain at lower elevations (around 5,700 feet or 1,740 meters) with excellent southern exposure and fewer terrain obstacles.

Topographical Considerations for Solar Development

The mesa tops themselves offer flat terrain ideal for solar installations, though many of these areas are already occupied by laboratory facilities, residential developments, or have other land-use designations. Any development would need to navigate the complex land ownership patterns in the area, which include federal, tribal, state, and private holdings. The significant variation in elevation throughout the region creates challenges for large-scale development, as construction costs increase on steeper slopes. However, this same topographical diversity can be advantageous for smaller, distributed solar installations that can be optimally positioned to capture maximum sunlight. The region's varied terrain also influences local weather patterns, with the mountains to the west creating rain shadow effects that generally result in clear skies—a positive factor for solar energy production. However, the canyon-and-mesa structure can occasionally channel winds, potentially requiring robust mounting systems for solar arrays in certain locations.

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.