Solar PV Analysis of McKeesport, United States
McKeesport, Pennsylvania is a decent place for solar energy generation, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can get from solar panels varies throughout the year. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity - 6.10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.23 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. However, in autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to 3.41 kWh/day and 1.87 kWh/day respectively.
This means that while you'll get good results during the brighter parts of the year (spring and summer), your system won't produce as much power during the darker months (autumn and winter). So if you're planning to rely solely on solar power all year round at this location, you might need additional energy sources or storage solutions for those less sunny periods.
If you're installing fixed panel systems here, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing south to maximize sunlight exposure throughout the year.
As for local factors that could affect solar production: since McKeesport is located in Pennsylvania which sees significant cloud cover especially in fall/winter seasons along with snowfall; these weather conditions could potentially reduce sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
To counteract this issue:
1) You might consider investing in more efficient or larger capacity panels so they can capture more light when it's available.
2) Regular cleaning/maintenance will also help keep them working efficiently especially after heavy snowfall.
3) Using adjustable tilt mounts may allow better positioning against low sun angles during winter months.
4) Lastly ensuring there are no nearby structures or trees casting shadows over your installation would also be beneficial.
Remember though these measures only help optimize what’s possible given local conditions – they don’t change those conditions themselves!
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 837 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
Become the exclusive sponsor for McKeesport, United States!
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in McKeesport
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.3469, Longitude: -79.8689 (McKeesport, 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 34° South in McKeesport, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in McKeesport, United States (Lat/Long 40.3469, -79.8689) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 McKeesport, 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 McKeesport, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° 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 | 33° 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.
Topography for solar PV around McKeesport, United States
McKeesport, located in the state of Pennsylvania, United States, is characterized by a mixed topography. It has hilly terrain with rivers and valleys. The city sits at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers which adds to its diverse landscape.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are most suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing sunlight exposure. In McKeesport's case, considering its hilly terrain, it might be challenging to find large flat areas within the city itself.
However, nearby regions with flatter terrains would be more suited for such projects. The Monongahela Valley area could potentially have suitable sites since river valleys often have relatively flat land. Additionally, reclaimed industrial or brownfield sites can also be a good fit for solar farms due to their typically large size and lack of shade.
It's important to note that factors other than topography should also be considered when planning for large-scale solar PV installations like local climate (amount of sun), proximity to power grid infrastructure and local regulations among others.
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!
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.
