Solar PV Analysis of Johnstown, Ohio, United States
Johnstown, Ohio, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output varies significantly, with peak production occurring during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.18 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.51 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, averaging 3.59 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.10 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Johnstown. 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 energy production in Johnstown, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 35-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation helps optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Johnstown's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could impact system performance:
- Snow accumulation in winter months can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- Cloudy days, particularly common in autumn and winter, may decrease solar output.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular panel cleaning and maintenance can also help ensure optimal performance year-round.
Despite these challenges, Johnstown's location still provides ample opportunity for solar energy generation, especially during the spring and summer months. With proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable and sustainable energy option for this area.
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 Johnstown, Ohio
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.1448, Longitude: -82.6965 (Johnstown, Ohio, 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 Johnstown, Ohio, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Johnstown, Ohio, United States (Lat/Long 40.1448, -82.6965) 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 Johnstown, Ohio, 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 Johnstown, Ohio, 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 | 44° South in Autumn | 54° 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 Johnstown, Ohio, 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 Johnstown, Ohio, 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 Johnstown, Ohio, United States
The area around Johnstown, Ohio, located at latitude 40.1448 and longitude -82.6965, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Midwestern United States. The topography is primarily composed of low hills and shallow valleys, with elevations generally ranging from about 900 to 1,100 feet above sea level. This landscape was largely shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in a mix of flat to mildly undulating surfaces.
The region surrounding Johnstown is predominantly rural, with a mix of agricultural fields, pastures, and scattered woodlands. Small streams and creeks crisscross the area, eventually feeding into larger river systems. The terrain is generally open, with few steep slopes or major geographic barriers, which is favorable for various land uses, including farming and potential energy projects.
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 Johnstown, the following characteristics would make certain areas more suitable for solar PV development:
1. Open farmland or fallow fields with minimal tree cover would be prime candidates for solar installations. These areas are abundant in the region and offer large, contiguous spaces with unobstructed access to sunlight.
2. Slightly elevated areas or south-facing slopes would be particularly advantageous, as they receive more direct sunlight throughout the day and year. However, the slopes should not be too steep to avoid complications in panel installation and maintenance.
3. Areas away from flood-prone zones or wetlands would be preferable to ensure the longevity and safety of the solar infrastructure. The higher ground in the region would be more suitable in this regard.
4. Locations with easy access to existing power infrastructure, such as transmission lines or substations, would be more cost-effective for connecting large-scale solar projects to the grid. Areas near major roads or highways might also be beneficial for construction and maintenance access.
5. Land that is not prime agricultural soil or ecologically sensitive would be more appropriate for solar development from an environmental and land-use perspective.
Overall, the topography and land use patterns around Johnstown offer numerous potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations. The gently rolling landscape provides a good balance of flat areas for easy construction and slight elevations for optimal sun exposure, making this region generally favorable for solar energy development.
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: Thursday 8th of August 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.
