Solar PV Analysis of Erie, Colorado, United States
Erie, Colorado, in the United States is a decent location for year-round solar energy generation. This area can produce different amounts of electricity depending on the season. In summer, it can generate 7.07 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This decreases to 4.30 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to 2.95 kWh/day during winter months when there's less sunlight available throughout the day. However, production increases again to 5.93 kWh/day in spring as daylight hours start to extend.
The best time of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during summer due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure which maximizes output from your panels.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 35 degrees toward the south is ideal as this maximises total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic system by ensuring that they're angled towards the sun's path across the sky most effectively.
As with any area though, certain local factors could potentially affect solar production here such as weather conditions or environmental elements specific to Erie's geography or climate.
One significant factor could be snowfall during winter months which may cover panels and reduce their ability to generate electricity until cleared off; however regular maintenance and cleaning should mitigate this issue significantly - installing systems designed with snow shedding features or automated cleaning systems might also be considered if heavy snowfall is frequent in Erie during winter months.
Another factor could be dust accumulation on panels over time which reduces their efficiency but again regular cleaning should help prevent any significant impact on overall production levels from your system.
In conclusion: Erie provides a good environment for producing solar energy especially during summer when daily output potential is highest but attention needs paid towards maintaining clear surfaces on panels particularly after snowfalls or periods without rain that might allow dust build-up affecting performance negatively.
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 Erie, Colorado
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.0622, Longitude: -105.0653 (Erie, Colorado, 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 Erie, Colorado, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Erie, Colorado, United States (Lat/Long 40.0622, -105.0653) 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 Erie, Colorado, 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 Erie, Colorado, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Erie, Colorado, 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 Erie, Colorado, 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 Erie, Colorado, United States
The coordinates provided point to Erie, Colorado, United States. The topography around this area is generally flat with some gently rolling hills. It's part of the Front Range Urban Corridor in the northern-central part of Colorado and lies at an elevation of about 5,130 feet (1,564 meters) above sea level.
This region is located on the western edge of the Great Plains near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains which are westward. There are also mountains to its west that could potentially block some sunlight during certain parts of the day.
Considering solar PV installations, large-scale projects would ideally require large tracts of relatively flat land for maximum efficiency and ease of installation. Given these criteria, areas eastward towards Great Plains would be more suitable as they offer flatter terrain compared to mountainous regions westwards.
Moreover, Erie has a semi-arid climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters with abundant sunshine throughout most parts of the year making it conducive for solar energy generation.
However, other factors like local zoning regulations or environmental considerations may affect where such a project can be installed. Therefore it’s important to conduct detailed feasibility studies before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV projects.
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: Monday 3rd 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.
