Solar PV Analysis of Nampa, United States
Nampa, Idaho, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. With coordinates of 43.5441° N, 116.5662° W, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Nampa, with an impressive output of 7.92 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.63 kWh/day/kW. These seasons offer excellent conditions for solar power generation, with long daylight hours and typically clear skies.
Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar productivity, yielding 3.87 kWh/day/kW. Winter presents the biggest challenge, with output dropping to just 1.98 kWh/day/kW. This significant seasonal variation highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Nampa, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 37 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental Considerations
While Nampa's climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps snow slide off more easily.
- Dust: The semi-arid climate can lead to dust accumulation on panels. Regular cleaning or rain-sensing cleaning systems can mitigate this issue.
To maximize solar production in Nampa, consider using high-efficiency panels and potentially incorporating tracking systems for larger installations. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation behind the panels can help maintain efficiency during hot summer days.
Overall, while winter months present challenges, Nampa's location offers strong potential for solar energy generation, especially from late spring through early fall. With proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable and productive renewable energy option in this Idaho city.
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 Nampa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.5441, Longitude: -116.5662 (Nampa, 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 37° South in Nampa, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nampa, United States (Lat/Long 43.5441, -116.5662) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Nampa, 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 Nampa, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 36° 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 Nampa, 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 Nampa, 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 Nampa, United States
The topography around Nampa, Idaho, is characterized by a mix of flat plains and gently rolling hills. Nampa is situated in the Treasure Valley, a broad, relatively flat area that extends along the Snake River Plain. The city itself lies at an elevation of about 2,500 feet above sea level.
To the north and east of Nampa, the landscape gradually rises towards the foothills of the Boise Mountains, part of the larger Rocky Mountain range. These foothills become more pronounced as you move further away from the city, eventually giving way to more rugged mountainous terrain.
To the south and west of Nampa, the land remains primarily flat, consisting of agricultural fields and open plains. This area is part of the broader Snake River Plain, which stretches across southern Idaho. The Snake River itself flows to the south of Nampa, carving a shallow canyon through the landscape.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas best suited would be the flat, open spaces to the south and west of Nampa. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- Abundant flat land with minimal obstructions, allowing for easy installation and maintenance of solar panels
- Fewer shadows from hills or mountains, maximizing sun exposure throughout the day
- Generally clear skies and low precipitation, typical of the high desert climate in this part of Idaho
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure, as the area is already developed for agriculture
The agricultural lands in the Snake River Plain, particularly those less suitable for crop production, could be ideal locations for solar farms. These areas often have good road access and are already connected to the power grid, which would facilitate the construction and operation of large-scale solar installations.
It's worth noting that while the foothills to the north and east might seem appealing due to their elevated position, the more complex terrain and potential for shading from nearby hills make them less ideal for large-scale solar projects compared to the flatter areas to the south and west of Nampa.
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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 31st 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
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