Solar PV Analysis of Midvale, United States
The location in Midvale, Utah, is decent for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal because there are significant variations in power production across different seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect a good amount of electricity to be generated from your solar panels - about 7.86 kWh per day in summer and 6.74 kWh per day in spring for each kW of installed solar. These times are when the sun is shining more brightly and for longer periods.
In contrast, autumn and winter see a drop in output due to shorter days and less intense sunlight; you can expect around 4.18kWh/day during fall months and as low as 2.65kWh/day during winter months per kW of installed solar.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should be fixed at an angle facing south at approximately 35 degrees tilt; this will help maximize exposure to the sun throughout different seasons.
However, local factors could potentially impede solar production here too – particularly weather conditions like snowfall which is common during winter months in Utah that could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or even damaging them over time if not properly maintained.
To prevent such issues impacting on energy production levels:
1) Consider installing automated panel cleaning systems or regularly clean them manually especially after heavy snowfall.
2) You may also want to consider using black-colored panels which absorb more heat than lighter ones helping melt off any accumulated snow faster.
3) Also using high-quality durable materials for installation can withstand harsh weather conditions ensuring longevity of the system while maintaining optimal performance levels over time despite adverse environmental factors present at this location.
Remember though: Solar power generation depends heavily upon direct sunlight so no matter what precautions you take against possible impediments – there will always be some variability based on natural fluctuations in weather patterns from season to season affecting overall productivity rates accordingly.
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 Midvale
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.6124, Longitude: -111.8832 (Midvale, 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 Midvale, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Midvale, United States (Lat/Long 40.6124, -111.8832) 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 Midvale, 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 Midvale, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° 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.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Midvale, 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 Midvale, 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 Midvale, United States
Midvale is located in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah, United States. The topography around Midvale is primarily flat with slight undulations, as it is situated in a valley. To its east are the Wasatch Mountains which are part of the Rocky Mountain Range.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be open and relatively flat lands that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. Given this, regions to the west of Midvale such as Magna or West Valley City could potentially be more suited due to their flatter terrains and less shading from mountains. However, a detailed site-specific feasibility study including factors like local weather patterns, land use restrictions and proximity to electrical grids would need to be conducted before making any final decisions.
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
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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.
