Marion, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Output

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.49 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.68 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.19 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.53 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Marion. This pattern is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where daylight hours and sun angle change significantly throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Marion, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental Considerations

While Marion's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snowfall: Marion experiences moderate snowfall in winter, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow-shedding systems can mitigate this issue.
• Tree cover: The surrounding Appalachian region is known for its forests. Careful site selection and potential tree trimming may be necessary to avoid shading of solar panels.

Despite these challenges, proper installation techniques and regular maintenance can ensure consistent solar energy production in Marion throughout the year. The location's four-season climate provides a balanced opportunity for solar power generation, with particularly strong potential from late spring through early fall.

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 Marion

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8348, Longitude: -81.5148 (Marion, 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 Marion, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marion, United States (Lat/Long 36.8348, -81.5148) 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 Marion, 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 Marion, 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 Marion, 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 Marion, 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 Marion, United States

The topography around Marion, Virginia, located at 36.8348 degrees north latitude and 81.5148 degrees west longitude, is characterized by its position in the Appalachian Mountain region. The area is part of the Ridge and Valley province, which features a series of long, parallel ridges and valleys running in a northeast-southwest direction. Marion itself sits in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and more pronounced mountain ridges. The terrain is generally hilly with elevations ranging from about 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level in the immediate vicinity. The landscape is a mix of forested areas, particularly on the steeper slopes and ridges, interspersed with cleared land used for agriculture and pasture in the flatter valley areas. To the north and west of Marion, the terrain becomes more rugged as it transitions into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 feet, is located about 20 miles southwest of Marion. The presence of these mountains creates a varied topography with steep slopes, deep valleys, and numerous streams and rivers that have carved their way through the landscape over millions of years.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors need to be taken into account. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure and minimal shading from surrounding terrain or vegetation. In the vicinity of Marion, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found in the broader valley floors and on the more gently sloping hillsides. These areas often have clearer skies and less shading from nearby mountains. The agricultural lands in the valleys, particularly those that are less productive or have been retired from farming, could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. However, it's important to note that the mountainous nature of the region does present some challenges for large-scale solar development. The varied topography can create localized shading effects, and the generally forested nature of the area means that significant land clearing might be necessary for larger installations. Additionally, the region's climate, which includes periods of cloudy weather and occasional snow in winter, may impact the overall efficiency of solar power generation compared to sunnier regions. Despite these challenges, there are likely to be suitable sites for solar PV development in the broader region around Marion, particularly in areas where the topography flattens out and in locations that have already been cleared for other uses. Careful site selection and environmental impact assessments would be crucial to identify the most appropriate locations for such projects.

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.