Pendleton, Indiana, United States, offers a moderately productive location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with significant seasonal variations in output. This northern temperate zone location experiences substantial differences between summer and winter production capabilities.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Pendleton generate their highest output during summer months, producing an average of 6.22kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.47kWh/day per kW installed. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 3.68kWh/day and reaches its lowest point during winter months at just 2.14kWh/day per kW installed.

This pattern creates a nearly 3:1 ratio between the best and worst seasons, with summer producing almost three times more energy than winter. The substantial drop during winter months means annual production averages are significantly lower than peak summer capabilities.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Pendleton, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle represents the mathematically optimal position that balances seasonal variations and maximizes total annual output based on Pendleton's specific latitude and solar conditions.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Pendleton. Indiana experiences moderate snowfall during winter months, which can temporarily cover panels and reduce output during the already less productive winter season. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps facilitate snow shedding, though manual clearing may occasionally be necessary after heavy snowfalls.

The region also experiences cloudy conditions throughout parts of the year, particularly during winter and early spring. These overcast periods contribute to the lower winter production figures. While cloud cover cannot be prevented, using high-efficiency panels designed to perform better in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate some production losses.

Tree coverage and potential shading from surrounding structures should be carefully evaluated during installation planning. Pendleton's suburban/rural setting may present challenges with vegetation growth, requiring strategic panel placement and potentially regular maintenance to prevent shading as trees mature.

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 Pendleton

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9955, Longitude: -85.7518 (Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pendleton, United States (Lat/Long 39.9955, -85.7518) 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 Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, 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
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	33° 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 Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Pendleton, United States

Pendleton, Indiana, is situated in the eastern part of the central United States in Madison County. The topography of this area is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Midwestern region. The landscape around Pendleton features subtle elevation changes with modest hills and shallow valleys formed primarily through glacial activity during the last ice age. The elevation averages approximately 850 feet (259 meters) above sea level, with minimal dramatic variations across the surrounding region. The area lies within what geographers classify as the Central Till Plain physiographic region, which covers much of central Indiana. This region was shaped by glacial deposits that left behind a relatively flat to moderately undulating landscape. The soil composition tends to be fertile, consisting of glacial till and alluvial deposits, particularly near the Fall Creek waterway that runs through Pendleton.

Hydrological Features

Fall Creek is the most prominent water feature in the immediate vicinity of Pendleton. This waterway has carved a shallow valley through the area and influences the local topography. The creek and its associated floodplain create some of the few significant elevation changes in the otherwise gentle landscape. Small tributary streams and drainage patterns further define the subtle contours of the land.

Land Use Patterns

The topography around Pendleton has historically supported agricultural development, with extensive farmland dominating the rural areas surrounding the town. Open fields, interspersed with woodlots and riparian corridors along waterways, characterize much of the landscape. The relatively level terrain has also facilitated transportation infrastructure development, including highways and the historic railroad lines that influenced the town's growth.

Potential Solar PV Development Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development, several areas around Pendleton offer favorable topographic conditions. The most suitable locations would be found in the agricultural lands to the south and east of Pendleton, where extensive open spaces with minimal slope exist. These areas benefit from: 1. Relatively flat terrain that minimizes grading and site preparation costs 2. Limited tree cover, reducing shading concerns 3. Existing access to transportation infrastructure 4. Distance from densely populated residential areas Specifically, the agricultural plains extending southeast toward Markleville and northeast toward Alexandria present prime opportunities for solar development. These areas feature large, contiguous parcels of land with favorable south-facing aspects and minimal topographic barriers. The gentle slopes in these regions, typically between 0-3%, fall well within the ideal range for solar array installation without requiring extensive earthwork. Areas immediately adjacent to Fall Creek and its tributaries would be less suitable due to potential flooding concerns and greater ecological sensitivity. Similarly, the more developed corridors along Interstate 69 to the west, while offering good infrastructure access, have higher land costs and more fragmented available parcels. The glacial till soils predominant in the region generally provide good bearing capacity for solar mounting systems, though site-specific geotechnical studies would be necessary to confirm conditions at any particular development location.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.