Solar PV Analysis of Riverton, United States
Riverton, Utah, located in the United States, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panels in Riverton demonstrate peak performance during the summer months, producing an impressive 7.86 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.74 kWh/day, making these seasons ideal for solar energy generation. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output, averaging 4.18 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.65 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this region. However, the relatively strong performance in spring and summer suggests that solar PV systems can still be quite effective overall.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Riverton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While Riverton generally provides a suitable environment for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact performance:
- Winter snowfall: Riverton experiences snowy winters, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency if snow accumulates on the panels.
- Air quality: The Salt Lake Valley, where Riverton is located, sometimes experiences poor air quality due to temperature inversions, particularly in winter. This can slightly reduce solar radiation reaching the panels.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and regularly clean the panels to remove any accumulated dust or debris. Additionally, using high-quality, efficient panels can help maximize energy production even during less ideal conditions.
Overall, while Riverton faces some challenges, particularly in winter, its strong performance in spring and summer makes it a viable location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and maintenance, solar energy can be a reliable and effective source of power throughout the year.
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 Riverton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.4953, Longitude: -111.9439 (Riverton, 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 Riverton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Riverton, United States (Lat/Long 40.4953, -111.9439) 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 Riverton, 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 Riverton, 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 | 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 Riverton, 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 Riverton, 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 Riverton, United States
The area around Riverton, Utah (located at 40.4953°N, 111.9439°W) is characterized by a diverse topography that reflects its position in the Salt Lake Valley. Riverton itself sits on relatively flat terrain, as it's part of the valley floor. However, the surrounding landscape offers more variation.
To the east of Riverton, the terrain begins to rise gradually, leading to the foothills of the Wasatch Range. These mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the east, with steep slopes and rugged peaks. The transition from the valley floor to the mountains is marked by increasing elevation and more varied terrain.
To the west, the land remains relatively flat for some distance before it starts to rise again towards the Oquirrh Mountains. This western area is characterized by gentle slopes and open spaces, typical of the broader Salt Lake Valley.
The Jordan River flows to the north of Riverton, creating a subtle depression in the landscape. This river valley adds a gentle undulation to the otherwise flat terrain of the immediate area.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the western portions of the Salt Lake Valley show the most promise. These areas, extending towards the Oquirrh Mountains, offer several advantages:
- Flat or gently sloping terrain, which is ideal for solar panel installation
- Fewer obstructions like tall buildings or dense forests that could cast shadows
- Generally open spaces with less development, providing room for large installations
- Good sun exposure throughout the day due to the lack of tall eastern mountains nearby
The areas immediately west and southwest of Riverton, extending towards Herriman and South Jordan, could be particularly suitable. These locations combine favorable topography with proximity to existing infrastructure, which could facilitate the construction and grid connection of solar facilities.
It's important to note that while the eastern foothills might seem attractive due to their elevation, the steep slopes and potential shading from the Wasatch Range make them less ideal for large-scale solar projects. The flatter, more open areas to the west are generally better suited for such developments in this region.
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: Saturday 24th of August 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
