Wallingford, Pennsylvania, located in the United States at coordinates 39.8924, -75.3585, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy output in Wallingford follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer is the most productive season, generating an average of 6.45kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.58kWh/day. Autumn production drops to 3.73kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 2.25kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal variation means that a solar PV system in Wallingford will produce nearly three times more energy in summer than in winter. The combined spring and summer seasons (approximately March through August) represent the ideal period for solar generation, accounting for significantly more than half of the annual production.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Wallingford, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing the daily solar elevation angles at this specific latitude, weighted by the daily PV generation potential throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in this location:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce production if panels become covered, though the 34-degree tilt helps with natural snow shedding
• Tree coverage is significant in parts of Delaware County, potentially causing shading issues depending on the specific property
• Occasional severe weather including thunderstorms and hurricanes may temporarily reduce production during storm events
• The region experiences moderate humidity which can contribute to dust and pollen accumulation on panels

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Wallingford should include regular cleaning maintenance, especially after pollen season in spring and after winter storms. Strategic tree trimming or removal may be necessary to minimize shading. Additionally, quality mounting systems rated for local wind conditions will ensure system longevity, while microinverters or power optimizers can help minimize production losses from partial shading.

Overall, while Wallingford isn't among the absolute best locations for solar in the United States, it still offers reasonable solar potential with proper system design and maintenance, particularly during the productive spring and summer months.

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 3040 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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.8924, Longitude: -75.3585 (Wallingford, Pennsylvania, 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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, United States (Lat/Long 39.8924, -75.3585) 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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania, 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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania, 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	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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania, 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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania, 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 Wallingford, Pennsylvania, United States

The topography of Wallingford, Pennsylvania, located in Delaware County just outside Philadelphia, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Piedmont region of the eastern United States. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 230 feet (70 meters) above sea level, with modest variations throughout the vicinity. Wallingford is situated in the watershed of Ridley Creek, which flows southeastward toward the Delaware River.

Landscape Features

The landscape around Wallingford consists of low hills and shallow valleys carved by local waterways over thousands of years. The terrain gradually slopes downward toward the east and southeast in the direction of the Delaware River, which lies approximately 5 miles east of Wallingford. This region represents a transition zone between the flatter coastal plain closer to Philadelphia and the more pronounced hills of the Piedmont plateau to the west. The local topography has been significantly modified by human development, with residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and transportation corridors covering much of the natural landscape. However, several parks and preserved areas in the vicinity maintain some of the region's original topographical character, including Ridley Creek State Park to the west.

Soil and Ground Conditions

The soils in the Wallingford area typically consist of moderately deep, well-drained loams and silt loams derived from weathered schist, gneiss, and other metamorphic rocks characteristic of the Piedmont geological province. These soils generally provide stable foundations for construction projects, though some areas with steeper slopes may present erosion concerns.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development near Wallingford, several factors related to topography must be considered. Ideal sites would feature:

Most Suitable Areas for Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Wallingford would be: 1. Former industrial properties or brownfields in the more developed areas east of Wallingford, closer to Chester and the Delaware River. These areas often feature large, flat parcels with minimal shading and existing access to electrical infrastructure. 2. Agricultural lands in western Delaware County and eastern Chester County, where larger open tracts with favorable southern exposure can be found. These areas typically have gentler slopes and fewer tree canopies than the more densely developed residential zones. 3. Commercial zone rooftops in shopping centers and industrial parks throughout Delaware County, particularly along major corridors like Baltimore Pike and Route 352. While not traditional "topography," these extensive flat surfaces represent significant potential for solar development without requiring new land use. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes along stream valleys, densely wooded sections, and flood-prone lowlands near Ridley Creek and other watercourses. Additionally, the highly developed residential neighborhoods immediately surrounding Wallingford proper would present challenges due to space limitations and potential shading issues from trees and structures. The modest elevation changes throughout the region generally do not pose significant obstacles to solar development, though site-specific grading may be necessary in some locations to optimize panel orientation.

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.