Solar PV Analysis of Moab, United States
Moab, Utah, in the United States is a pretty good place for generating solar energy throughout the year. During summer and spring, you can expect a high amount of electricity output from solar panels - around 8.16 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 7.24 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt of installed solar power.
However, during autumn and winter, the electricity output drops to about 4.84 kWh/day and 3.20 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun position.
To get the most out of your solar panels over the whole year at this location, it's best if they are tilted at an angle facing south by 33 degrees. This will help capture as much sunlight as possible across all seasons.
As far as potential issues that could affect solar production here goes: Moab has a desert climate with hot summers which might cause some efficiency loss in PV panels due to overheating but this should not be significant enough to deter installation. The area also experiences occasional dust storms which can cover panels reducing their effectiveness; regular cleaning should mitigate this problem though.
In terms of weather conditions: Winter snowfall could potentially block sunlight from reaching your panels but Moab doesn't typically receive heavy snowfall so it shouldn't be a major issue.
So overall, while there may be small challenges like dust or rare snowfalls that require regular maintenance/cleaning of your panels to ensure optimal performance - Moab is generally quite suitable for harnessing solar energy throughout the year given its sunny climate especially during summer & spring 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 Moab
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.5633, Longitude: -109.5116 (Moab, 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 33° South in Moab, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Moab, United States (Lat/Long 38.5633, -109.5116) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Moab, 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 Moab, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° 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 | 43° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Moab, 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 Moab, 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 Moab, United States
Moab, United States is located in eastern Utah and is surrounded by stunning red rock landscapes. The topography of this area includes mountains, plateaus, canyons, river valleys, and vast desert expanses. It's part of the Colorado Plateau which is characterized by high desert terrain with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level.
The region around Moab has a lot of flat or gently sloping land that could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Areas with southern exposure would be particularly well-suited due to maximum sunlight exposure.
However, any potential solar project in this area would need to consider environmental factors as well as existing land use. For example, there are numerous protected areas nearby including Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park where development would not be permitted.
In terms of specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Moab:
1) Uninhabited desert areas: These offer ample space and sunlight but may have environmental protection restrictions.
2) Agricultural lands: If they're not highly productive or if dual-use (agrivoltaics) can be implemented.
3) Brownfield sites: Previously developed lands that are no longer in use might serve as good spots for such projects without disturbing natural habitats or agricultural activities.
Please note that any largescale project needs thorough site assessment including sun irradiance levels study over the year along with other feasibility studies before actual implementation.
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: Friday 12th 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.
