Solar PV Analysis of Ogden, United States
Ogden, Utah, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a mixed landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. With coordinates 41.2713° N, 111.9881° W, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy generation in Ogden, with an impressive daily output of 7.90 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 6.61 kWh/day. These seasons provide ample sunlight and longer days, making them ideal for maximizing solar production.
Autumn sees a notable decrease in solar output, producing 4.04 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with daily production dropping to 2.47 kWh per kW installed. This significant reduction is due to shorter days, lower sun angles, and potentially increased cloud cover.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Ogden, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 35 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental Considerations
While Ogden's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Winter snowfall: Ogden receives significant snowfall, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps with snow shedding, and occasional manual clearing may be necessary.
- Air quality: The area can experience inversions, particularly in winter, leading to air pollution that may slightly reduce solar irradiance. Regular panel cleaning can mitigate this issue.
Preventative Measures
To enhance solar production in Ogden, consider these preventative measures during installation:
Use high-efficiency panels that perform well in varying light conditions. Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading. Implement a robust mounting system to withstand potential heavy snow loads. Consider a tracking system for increased energy capture, especially during the less productive winter months.
Overall, while Ogden faces challenges in winter, its solar potential remains strong, particularly from spring through fall. With proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable and productive energy source in this location.
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 Ogden
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.2713, Longitude: -111.9881 (Ogden, 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 Ogden, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ogden, United States (Lat/Long 41.2713, -111.9881) 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 Ogden, 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 Ogden, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Ogden, 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 Ogden, 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 Ogden, United States
The topography around Ogden, Utah is quite diverse and interesting. The city itself sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, which rise dramatically to the east. These mountains are part of the larger Rocky Mountain range and provide a stunning backdrop to the city. The peaks in this area reach heights of over 9,000 feet, creating a stark contrast with the relatively flat valley floor where Ogden is located.
To the west of Ogden, the landscape transitions into the Great Salt Lake Basin. This area is characterized by flat, low-lying plains that stretch out towards the Great Salt Lake itself. The lake's shoreline is only about 10 miles west of the city, and the terrain in between is mostly level with some gentle slopes and occasional wetlands.
North and south of Ogden, the Wasatch Front continues, creating a long, narrow valley known as the Wasatch Front Metropolitan Area. This valley is hemmed in by mountains on the east and the Great Salt Lake and its desert to the west, resulting in a unique geographical corridor that's home to the majority of Utah's population.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas best suited would likely be found to the west of Ogden, in the flatter regions approaching the Great Salt Lake. These areas offer several advantages:
- They are relatively flat, which makes construction and maintenance of solar arrays easier and more cost-effective.
- They receive ample sunlight due to the lack of tall obstacles or geographical features that could cast shadows.
- The land in this direction is generally less developed and may be more available for large-scale projects.
- The reflective properties of the nearby Great Salt Lake might even provide a slight boost to solar radiation in the area.
However, it's important to note that any specific site would need to be carefully evaluated for factors such as soil stability, flood risk, and environmental impact, particularly given the sensitive ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake. Additionally, areas immediately adjacent to the lake might not be suitable due to potential flooding or soil salinity issues.
The mountain areas to the east, while scenic, would generally be less suitable for large-scale solar installations due to their steep terrain, variable sun exposure, and potential for snow cover in winter months.
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: Tuesday 3rd of September 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.
