Solar PV Analysis of Parkville, United States
Parkville, Maryland, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.43 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.64 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.77 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.26 kWh/day, primarily due to shorter daylight hours and less direct sunlight.
The substantial variation between summer and winter production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. While summer months offer abundant solar energy, winter months may require supplementary power sources or energy storage solutions to maintain consistent electricity supply.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Parkville, the ideal tilt angle is 34 degrees facing South. This angle maximizes total year-round solar energy production by optimizing the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the changing seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Parkville's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Seasonal weather patterns: Frequent cloud cover and precipitation during spring and fall can temporarily reduce solar output.
- Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall may cover panels, impeding energy production.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using high-quality, weather-resistant equipment. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance year-round.
Despite these challenges, Parkville's location remains conducive to solar energy generation, with ample opportunity to harness renewable power, particularly during the spring and summer 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 Parkville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.3855, Longitude: -76.54 (Parkville, 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 Parkville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Parkville, United States (Lat/Long 39.3855, -76.54) 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 Parkville, 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 Parkville, 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 | 55° 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 Parkville, 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 Parkville, 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 Parkville, United States
The topography around Parkville, United States, which is located at latitude 39.3855 and longitude -76.54, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys. This area is part of the Piedmont region, which lies between the flat coastal plain to the east and the more mountainous Appalachian region to the west.
The landscape in and around Parkville features a mix of suburban development and pockets of green space. The terrain is generally mild, with modest elevation changes throughout the area. Small streams and creeks wind through the landscape, creating shallow depressions in the otherwise undulating terrain.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Ideal locations for solar farms typically have the following characteristics:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping land
- Minimal shading from trees or buildings
- Good access to existing electrical infrastructure
- Away from densely populated areas
Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Parkville would likely be found in the more rural regions to the north and northeast of the city. These areas, extending into Baltimore County and Harford County, tend to have more open, agricultural land that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production.
Specific locations that might be worth investigating include the areas around White Marsh, Perry Hall, and northern parts of Baltimore County. These regions offer a balance of relatively flat terrain, lower population density, and proximity to existing power infrastructure.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and compliance with local zoning regulations. The suitability of any particular location would ultimately depend on a combination of geographical, technical, and regulatory factors.
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: Saturday 12th of October 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.
