Solar PV Analysis of Pocatello, United States
Pocatello, Idaho, in the United States is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, how much energy you can generate varies quite a bit depending on the season.
During summer and spring, you'll get more electricity from your solar panels. In summer, every kilowatt of installed solar will give about 7.54 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. In spring it's slightly less at around 6.49 kilowatt-hours per day.
In autumn and winter though, things are not as bright - literally! You'll only get about 3.95 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and even less in winter at around 2.15 kilowatt-hours per day for each installed kilowatt.
If you're installing fixed panel solar power here, to make sure you're getting as much sun exposure as possible throughout the year tilt your panels towards south at an angle of approximately 36 degrees.
Now let's talk about some factors that could affect your ability to generate solar power here:
Firstly, Pocatello experiences moderate levels of snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or even rendering them useless until cleared off.
Secondly, dust storms are also common during certain times of the year which can deposit dust on the panels reducing their effectiveness unless cleaned regularly.
Lastly there are also occasional hailstorms that pose physical damage risk to unprotected panels so it would be wise considering protective measures against this weather condition while installing these systems
To counteract these issues:
- Regular maintenance including cleaning off any snow or dust accumulation should be part of your routine.
- Consider installing protective covers or shields over your panels to protect them from hail damage.
- If feasible consider adjustable tilt mounts allowing changing angles with seasons maximizing sun exposure thus increasing production efficiency especially during low yield seasons like Autumn and Winter.
In conclusion while Pocatello does have its challenges for solar power generation, with proper installation and maintenance it can still be a viable 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 Pocatello
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.8851, Longitude: -112.4441 (Pocatello, 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 36° South in Pocatello, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pocatello, United States (Lat/Long 42.8851, -112.4441) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Pocatello, 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 Pocatello, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 Pocatello, 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 Pocatello, 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 Pocatello, United States
Pocatello, United States is located in the state of Idaho. The topography around Pocatello is a mix of mountains and valleys as it lies along the western edge of the Rocky Mountains. The area also includes part of Portneuf River Valley and has several peaks such as Scout Mountain, Kinport Peak, and Chinese Peak nearby.
For large-scale installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are generally preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. Given this criterion, valley areas would be more suitable for installations compared to mountainous regions.
However, other factors should also be considered when choosing locations for large-scale projects. These include proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid-connected systems), land use restrictions, environmental impact assessments among others.
Therefore, while specific sites would need detailed analysis considering all above factors; broadly speaking open valley areas near existing power infrastructure could be suitable for large scale projects in vicinity of Pocatello.
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: Thursday 4th 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.
