Solar PV Analysis of Merrifield, United States
The location in Merrifield, Virginia is a decent spot for solar energy production year-round, but it's not perfect. During the summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can generate 6.46 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. This decreases to 4.01 and 2.47 in autumn and winter respectively before rising back up to 5.73 in spring.
So you'll get the most out of your solar panels during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available due to longer days and higher sun position in the sky.
If you're installing fixed panels at this location, tilting them at a 34 degrees angle towards south would maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the year which will increase your total yearly energy production.
However, local conditions could potentially affect your solar output. For example, Virginia experiences all four seasons with winters being quite cold with potential snowfall that could cover your panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping production completely until cleared off.
Similarly, autumn leaves falling on panels may also reduce their effectiveness.
To combat these issues consider installing panel-cleaning systems or regularly maintaining them by manually removing any debris like snow or leaves from the surface of your panels.
Also consider using micro-inverters instead of a single central inverter as they allow each panel to work independently; so if one gets covered by shade or debris it won't affect the output from other clear ones.
Lastly remember that while some shading is inevitable during certain times of day/year due to sun's position relative to buildings/trees etc., try positioning/installing your system where it can get maximum unobstructed sunlight especially between peak hours (9am-3pm).
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 Merrifield
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.868, Longitude: -77.2318 (Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Merrifield, United States (Lat/Long 38.868, -77.2318) 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 Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 32° 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 Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, United States
Merrifield is located in the state of Virginia, United States. The topography around Merrifield is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills. It's part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain which extends up to the Piedmont region.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with flat or gently sloping terrains are most suitable as they require less land preparation and can accommodate more panels. Therefore, areas within and around Merrifield could be potentially suitable for such installation due to its flat landscape.
However, it’s important to note that aside from topography, there are several other factors that need to be considered when assessing suitability for solar power generation like amount of sunlight received (solar irradiance), local climate conditions, proximity to power grids and potential environmental impacts.
In terms of specific locations nearby that may be suited for large scale solar PV projects:
1) Farmlands or open fields in Fairfax County could serve as potential sites given their open spaces and minimal shading.
2) Some industrial zones or commercial areas with large rooftops can also be good candidates for rooftop solar installations.
3) Areas near existing power infrastructure would also be beneficial as it reduces costs related to transmission line construction.
It would still require a detailed site-specific study by professionals in renewable energy sector before making any final decision on where exactly these installations should go up.
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 8th of July 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.
