Phoenix, Maryland, United States represents a moderately good location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of the Northern Temperate Zone climate.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows strong seasonal patterns that reflect the area's temperate climate. Summer provides the highest energy production at 6.40 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.60 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable performance to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline in solar production, dropping to 3.70 kWh per day per kW as daylight hours decrease and sun angles become less favorable. Winter represents the most challenging season for solar energy generation, with output falling to just 2.20 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round solar energy production at Phoenix, Maryland, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 34 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual energy output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on solar irradiance data that considers Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors in Phoenix, Maryland can significantly impact solar energy production and should be considered during installation planning. Snow accumulation during winter months poses the most substantial challenge to solar production. The Mid-Atlantic region regularly experiences snowfall that can completely cover solar panels, blocking sunlight and dramatically reducing energy output during already low-production winter months. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps with natural snow shedding, but additional measures may be necessary. Seasonal weather patterns bring frequent cloud cover, particularly during autumn and winter months, which can reduce solar irradiance even when panels are clear of snow. Spring and summer thunderstorms, while typically brief, can temporarily interrupt solar production and pose risks to equipment.

Preventative Installation Measures

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install panels with adequate spacing between rows to prevent snow from one panel blocking adjacent panels when it slides off
• Use mounting systems that allow for safe manual snow removal when necessary, or consider heated panel systems for critical applications
• Ensure proper electrical grounding and surge protection to handle the electrical storms common in the Mid-Atlantic region
• Select panels with anti-reflective coatings and good low-light performance to maximize energy capture during overcast conditions
• Install monitoring systems to quickly identify when panels need cleaning or snow removal

The deciduous forests common in Maryland can create shading issues as trees grow over time. Careful site selection and regular tree maintenance around solar installations help prevent gradual decreases in solar production as vegetation matures. Overall, while Phoenix, Maryland faces typical Mid-Atlantic weather challenges, proper installation techniques and maintenance practices can help ensure reliable solar energy production throughout the year, with particularly strong performance during the spring and summer growing 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 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 Phoenix, Maryland

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.5165, Longitude: -76.6161 (Phoenix, Maryland, 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 Phoenix, Maryland, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Phoenix, Maryland, United States (Lat/Long 39.5165, -76.6161) 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 Phoenix, Maryland, 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 Phoenix, Maryland, 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
23° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	32° 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 Phoenix, Maryland, 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 Phoenix, Maryland, 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 Phoenix, Maryland, United States

The coordinates provided (39.5165, -76.6161) actually correspond to a location near Baltimore, Maryland, rather than Phoenix, Arizona. This area sits within the Mid-Atlantic region's characteristic rolling topography, where the Piedmont plateau transitions toward the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

The terrain around this Maryland location features gentle hills and valleys with elevations typically ranging from sea level near the Chesapeake Bay to approximately 300-400 feet above sea level on the higher ridges. The landscape is characterized by relatively modest elevation changes, creating a series of undulating hills separated by stream valleys and small watersheds. This topography was shaped by ancient geological processes and subsequent erosion, resulting in a terrain that is neither completely flat nor dramatically mountainous.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations in this region would be the elevated plateau areas and south-facing slopes of the rolling hills. These locations offer several advantages including consistent exposure to sunlight throughout the day and minimal shading from surrounding terrain features. The higher elevations also tend to have better air circulation, which can help maintain optimal operating temperatures for solar panels.

Agricultural areas on the gentler slopes and plateau tops present excellent opportunities for solar development, particularly where the land has relatively uniform grade and minimal tree coverage. These areas often provide the large, contiguous parcels necessary for utility-scale solar installations while avoiding the steeper slopes that could complicate construction and maintenance activities.

The flatter valley floors might seem attractive for solar development due to their level terrain, but these areas can experience morning fog and may have drainage issues during wet periods. Additionally, valleys are more likely to accumulate dust and atmospheric moisture, which can reduce panel efficiency over time.

Terrain Considerations for Installation

The moderate topography of this region generally favors solar development compared to more mountainous areas. The gentle grades allow for conventional construction techniques and standard mounting systems, while the varied elevation provides opportunities to select sites with optimal solar orientation. Areas with southern exposure on slopes of 5-15 degrees can be particularly advantageous, as they naturally tilt toward the sun's path.

However, developers must consider the region's mixed forest and agricultural landscape. Many potential sites would require clearing of mature deciduous forests, which could present environmental and permitting challenges. The most practical locations are likely to be existing open agricultural land or previously cleared areas where environmental impact would be minimized.

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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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.