Solar PV Analysis of Massillon, United States
Massillon, Ohio, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a mixed potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 40.8133 and longitude -81.4971 presents both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Massillon varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 6.14 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.44 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 3.55 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 1.89 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar efficiency in this region. Long, sunny summer days provide ideal conditions for solar energy generation, making it the prime season for harvesting solar power in Massillon.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Massillon, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the city's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Massillon's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Massillon experiences significant snowfall in winter, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or installing panels at a steeper angle can help mitigate this issue.
- Cloud cover: The region is known for partly cloudy conditions, particularly in winter and early spring. Using high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production even in less-than-ideal light conditions.
Despite these challenges, preventative measures such as proper panel placement, regular maintenance, and the use of snow-shedding technologies can help ensure consistent energy production throughout the year.
In conclusion, while Massillon's solar potential varies significantly across seasons, with proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can still provide a substantial contribution to the city's energy needs, particularly during the spring and summer months.
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 Massillon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.8133, Longitude: -81.4971 (Massillon, 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 Massillon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Massillon, United States (Lat/Long 40.8133, -81.4971) 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 Massillon, 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 Massillon, 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 | 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 Massillon, 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 Massillon, 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 Massillon, United States
The topography around Massillon, Ohio, in the United States is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys. This area is part of the Appalachian Plateau region, which transitions from the flatter lands to the west into the more rugged Appalachian Mountains to the east. The landscape is a mix of urban development, suburban areas, and rural farmland interspersed with patches of forest.
The city of Massillon itself sits in the Tuscarawas River valley, with slightly higher elevations surrounding it. The terrain gradually rises as you move away from the river, creating a series of low hills and shallow valleys. This undulating landscape is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which shaped much of Ohio's topography.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure. In the vicinity of Massillon, the following areas might be suitable:
1. Agricultural lands: The rural areas surrounding Massillon, particularly to the south and west, have expansive farmlands that could potentially accommodate solar installations. These areas often have the advantage of being relatively flat and clear of obstructions that might block sunlight.
2. Former industrial sites: Massillon has a history of industry, and there may be brownfield sites or unused industrial land that could be repurposed for solar energy production. These areas are often already cleared and may have existing infrastructure that could be beneficial.
3. Gently sloping hillsides: While steep slopes are not ideal for solar farms, some of the gentler hillsides in the area, especially those facing south, could be suitable locations. These areas may receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
4. Open spaces near major roads or power lines: Areas along major transportation corridors or near existing power infrastructure might be good candidates, as they could simplify the process of connecting to the grid and transporting materials.
It's important to note that while the topography around Massillon is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning laws, environmental considerations, and grid connection capabilities would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar project in the area.
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: Sunday 8th of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
