Solar PV Analysis of Nephi, United States
The location at Nephi, Utah is fairly good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. However, the amount of electricity produced varies depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate a high amount of electricity - about 7.80 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production in this location.
During spring, the output is also quite good at 6.74 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power. Autumn sees a decrease with 4.48 kWh/day generated per kW, and winter has the lowest output at around 2.74 kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system in Nephi, Utah, it's best to tilt your panels at an angle of 34 degrees towards the south if you're installing fixed panels.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production in this area go - there aren't any significant impediments typical to this region that would drastically affect a well-installed and maintained system's performance.
However general factors such as dust accumulation on panels or snowfall during winter months could reduce efficiency temporarily but these are common issues faced by most locations not just Nephi, Utah and can be mitigated with regular cleaning and maintenance routines respectively.
Remember that while these figures provide an estimate they do not take into account other potential local factors like shading from nearby buildings or trees which should be considered when planning installation so consult with a local professional before making final decisions.
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 Nephi
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.6906, Longitude: -111.8404 (Nephi, 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 Nephi, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nephi, United States (Lat/Long 39.6906, -111.8404) 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 Nephi, 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 Nephi, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° 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 Nephi, 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 Nephi, 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 Nephi, United States
Nephi is located in the Juab Valley, surrounded by mountains on the east and west. The topography is characterized by flat plains within the valley and rugged terrain on the mountain slopes. The area has a semi-arid climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
The best places for large-scale solar PV installations would be in open, flat areas that receive a lot of sunlight. Given Nephi's geographical location, these conditions are likely to be found in two types of locations:
1) Plains/Flatlands: These could include unused farmland or other open spaces within Juab Valley where there are few obstructions to sunlight.
2) South-facing Mountain Slopes: While more challenging for installation due to rugged terrain, south-facing slopes can also be suitable as they get good sun exposure throughout the day.
However, any specific sites would need an accurate assessment considering factors such as land ownership, local regulations and zoning laws, proximity to power grids for transmission purposes etc., before deciding their suitability for setting up a large-scale solar PV plant.
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: 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.
