Solar PV Analysis of Roy, United States
Roy, Utah, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed opportunity for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight both advantages and challenges for potential solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy production in Roy, with an impressive daily output of 7.67 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.56 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent conditions for maximizing solar energy production.
However, the colder months see a significant drop in solar output. Autumn yields a moderate 4.06 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.27 kWh/day. This stark seasonal contrast underscores the importance of efficient system design to ensure year-round energy sufficiency.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar production in Roy, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 35-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, balancing energy production across all seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Roy's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency, necessitating occasional manual clearing or the installation of snow guards.
- Dust and pollen, particularly during spring and summer, may accumulate on panels, slightly reducing their effectiveness. Regular cleaning can mitigate this issue.
Preventative Measures
To enhance solar production and system longevity in Roy, consider implementing these measures:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in varying temperatures.
- Install a monitoring system to track performance and quickly identify any issues.
- Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule, especially before peak production seasons.
- Consider a ground-mounted system for easier access and maintenance, if space allows.
In conclusion, while Roy experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, its overall potential for solar energy production remains promising. With proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable and sustainable energy option for this Utah 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 Roy
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.1685, Longitude: -112.0361 (Roy, 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 Roy, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Roy, United States (Lat/Long 41.1685, -112.0361) 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 Roy, 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 Roy, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Roy, 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 Roy, 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 Roy, United States
The area around Roy, Utah is characterized by a mix of flat valley floors and gently rolling terrain. Roy itself sits in the eastern part of the Great Salt Lake Valley, which is a broad, flat expanse that was once covered by the ancient Lake Bonneville. To the east of Roy, the land gradually rises towards the Wasatch Mountains, creating a series of foothills and benchlands.
The immediate vicinity of Roy is primarily flat, with a slight slope towards the west where the Great Salt Lake is located. This flatness is typical of the valley floor, which extends for many miles to the north and south. As you move east from Roy, the terrain becomes more varied, with subtle undulations and low hills becoming more prominent.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas best suited would be the flat, open spaces to the west and southwest of Roy. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- They are relatively level, which reduces the cost and complexity of site preparation.
- They receive ample sunlight throughout the year, with few obstructions from terrain or vegetation.
- They are generally less developed, with fewer competing land uses compared to areas closer to urban centers.
The expansive desert areas further west, stretching towards the Great Salt Lake, would be particularly well-suited for large solar farms. These regions have minimal vegetation, limited agricultural value, and vast open spaces that could accommodate extensive arrays of solar panels.
However, it's important to note that any solar development would need to consider environmental factors, such as potential impacts on local ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, the proximity to the Great Salt Lake could introduce considerations related to bird migration patterns and potential glare effects on air traffic, as the Salt Lake City International Airport is located to the southeast of Roy.
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 8th of October 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.
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