Solar PV Analysis of Provo, United States
Provo, Utah is a pretty good place for generating solar energy throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels varies depending on the time of year. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity - about 7.86 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day in the summer and 6.74 kWh per day in the spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed.
However, in autumn and winter, this drops significantly to 4.18 kWh/day and 2.65 kWh/day respectively per kW installed because there are fewer daylight hours and sunlight isn't as strong.
To make sure your solar panels are working their best all year round in Provo, they should be tilted at an angle of about 34 degrees facing south.
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy your solar panels produce though. For example, Provo does have some snowy days in winter which could cover your panels reducing their efficiency or even stop them from working altogether if they're completely covered.
To prevent this from happening too often or causing too much trouble when it does happen; you could install your panels at an angle so snow slides off more easily or regularly check them after heavy snowfall to make sure they're clear.
Also remember that dust or dirt on the panel surface can also reduce its effectiveness slightly over time so regular cleaning would help keep production high throughout all seasons.
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 3028 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 Provo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.2584, Longitude: -111.6591 (Provo, 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 Provo, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Provo, United States (Lat/Long 40.2584, -111.6591) 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 Provo, 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 Provo, 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 | 55° 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 Provo, 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 Provo, 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 Provo, United States
Provo is located in the state of Utah, United States. The topography around Provo is quite diverse with a mix of mountainous terrain to the east (Wasatch Range), and flat plains to the west. The city itself lies in Utah Valley at an elevation of approximately 4,549 feet (1,387 meters).
Given this topography, large-scale solar PV installations would be most suited for flatter areas which receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. These areas are typically found to the west of Provo towards Utah Lake and its surrounding regions where there's less shadowing from mountains.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV doesn't solely depend on topography; factors such as local climate conditions (solar irradiance), land use restrictions or protections, proximity to transmission lines and load centers also play crucial roles.
Ultimately, a detailed site-specific assessment would be necessary to identify optimal locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Provo.
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 2nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Tuesday 2nd of July 2024
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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.
