Solar PV Analysis of Macedonia, United States
The location at Macedonia, Ohio, United States, which is in the Northern Temperate Zone, has varying potential for generating energy through solar PV throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be produced by a kilowatt of installed solar varies by season.
In summer, each kilowatt can generate 6.00 kWh per day. This drops to 3.29 kWh per day in autumn and further drops to 1.79 kWh per day during winter when sunlight is minimal due to shorter days and lower sun angles. However, it improves slightly during spring with each kilowatt being able to generate around 5.40 kWh per day.
Therefore, the ideal times for generating solar energy at this location are in summer and spring when sunlight exposure is higher compared to other seasons.
When installing solar panels at this location, it's recommended that they're tilted at an angle of about 35 degrees facing southward so as to maximize total year-round production from the solar PV system.
As far as environmental or local factors that could impede solar production at this location are concerned; Macedonia experiences a variety of weather conditions throughout the year including snow during winters which could cover up the panels reducing their efficiency significantly.
To mitigate these challenges:
1) Solar panel installations should include a plan for regular maintenance and cleaning especially after snowfall or other severe weather conditions that might cover or damage the panels.
2) Consider installing adjustable tilt mounts for your panels so you can change their angle depending on time of year maximizing sun exposure.
3) If possible consider using micro-inverters instead of central inverters since they allow each panel to work independently increasing overall system efficiency even if some panels are covered or shaded.
4) Use high quality durable materials that can withstand different weather conditions ensuring long term performance stability.
Remember though every site has its unique considerations so always consult with a professional before making any decisions based on general advice like this one!
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 Macedonia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.3284, Longitude: -81.4981 (Macedonia, 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 Macedonia, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Macedonia, United States (Lat/Long 41.3284, -81.4981) 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 Macedonia, 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 Macedonia, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° 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 Macedonia, 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 Macedonia, 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 Macedonia, United States
Macedonia, United States is located in the state of Ohio. The topography around Macedonia is mostly flat to gently rolling plains with some hills and valleys. It's part of the Great Lakes region and has a humid continental climate.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping lands are preferred as they require less site preparation work and can accommodate more solar panels per unit area. Therefore, any open and relatively flat areas around Macedonia would be suitable for this purpose.
Specifically, agricultural lands or industrial zones that are not in active use could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas usually have good sun exposure without significant shading from trees or buildings.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV also depends on other factors like local weather patterns (amount of sunlight), land use regulations, proximity to power grids for electricity transmission etc., which need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Also remember that while Ohio does get less sunlight than states like California or Arizona, it still receives enough sun to make solar power a viable option - Germany, which receives similar levels of sunlight as Ohio, has one of the world's largest installed capacities of solar power.
Lastly always consider environmental impact assessments before proceeding with such projects as they can potentially affect local ecosystems and biodiversity.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 22nd of January 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.
