Solar PV Analysis of Parma, United States
The location in Parma, Ohio, United States is decent for generating energy via solar panels throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during the summer and spring seasons when there are longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. During these times, you can expect to produce around 6 kWh/day and 5.4 kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively.
In autumn and winter, the electricity output decreases considerably due to shorter days and less intense sunlight. You can expect about 3.29 kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 1.79kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, you should tilt them towards the south at an angle of about 35 degrees. This position will help capture as much sunlight as possible over different seasons.
There could be some factors that might affect how well your panels work here though. For example, Ohio experiences a good amount of cloud cover especially during fall and winter which can reduce how much sun reaches your panels; snowfall could also potentially block sunlight if it accumulates on top of your panels.
To counteract these issues, you may want to consider installing a system that allows you to adjust the angle of your panels according to season or even daily weather changes - so they're always getting as much light as possible despite changing conditions.
Also consider investing in systems with snow melting features or regularly clean off any snow from them yourself during winter months.
Lastly ensure regular cleaning/maintenance schedules are kept up-to-date so that dust or other debris doesn't accumulate on panel surfaces blocking incoming sun rays over time reducing their effectiveness too!
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 Parma
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.3861, Longitude: -81.7371 (Parma, 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 Parma, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Parma, United States (Lat/Long 41.3861, -81.7371) 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 Parma, 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 Parma, 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 Parma, 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 Parma, 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 Parma, United States
Parma, United States is located in the state of Ohio. The topography around Parma is generally flat to mildly hilly, as it lies in the Great Lakes region which is characterized by lowlands. The area has a mix of urban and suburban development with some open spaces.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are suited would ideally be flat or gently sloping lands with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or buildings. Considering these factors, areas outside the city limits where there's more open space would likely be most suitable for large scale solar PV farms.
However, it's important to note that Ohio doesn't have as high solar potential compared to southwestern states due to its latitude and weather patterns (more cloud cover). But this doesn't mean solar energy isn't viable here - it just may not be as efficient.
In terms of specific nearby areas for large-scale solar installation:
1) Unused agricultural land could potentially be converted into a site for a solar farm.
2) Industrial zones with large rooftops can also accommodate sizable rooftop installations
3) Brownfield sites – abandoned or underused industrial land – can also provide ample space for installing solar panels without disrupting natural habitats or prime farmland.
Remember that any decision on location should take into account not only geographical considerations but also local regulations and community acceptance.
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 1st of June 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.
