Solar PV Analysis of Saint Joseph, United States
Saint Joseph, Missouri, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 39.7534 and longitude -94.8191 provides varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Saint Joseph peaks during the summer months, with an impressive output of 6.75 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.17 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production to 4.00 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.43 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this region. Long summer days and higher sun angles contribute to peak performance, making it an ideal time for solar energy harvesting.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Saint Joseph, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the best overall performance across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun position.
Environmental Considerations
While Saint Joseph's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or installing panels at a steeper angle can help mitigate this issue.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences partly cloudy conditions throughout the year, which can affect solar output. Using high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production even on overcast days.
To enhance solar production in Saint Joseph, consider implementing a tracking system to follow the sun's path, which can increase energy yield compared to fixed installations. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning of panels will help ensure optimal performance year-round.
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 Saint Joseph
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.7534, Longitude: -94.8191 (Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint Joseph, United States (Lat/Long 39.7534, -94.8191) 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 Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, United States
The area around Saint Joseph, Missouri, is characterized by gently rolling hills and open plains typical of the Midwest region. The city itself sits along the Missouri River, which has shaped the local landscape over millennia. To the east of Saint Joseph, you'll find mostly flat to slightly undulating terrain, with occasional shallow valleys and low ridges. This area is primarily used for agriculture, with expansive fields stretching across the horizon.
To the west and northwest of the city, the terrain becomes slightly more varied, with more pronounced hills and steeper slopes. This area marks the transition between the flat plains and the more rugged terrain found further west. Despite the increased elevation changes, much of this land is still suitable for farming and grazing.
The Missouri River valley, running north to south along the western edge of Saint Joseph, creates a distinct topographical feature. The river has carved a wide, flat floodplain bordered by bluffs and terraces on either side. These bluffs can be quite steep in places, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat to gently sloping agricultural lands to the east and northeast of Saint Joseph present the best opportunities. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- Large, unobstructed expanses of land with minimal shading from trees or buildings
- Generally south-facing slopes, which are ideal for maximizing solar exposure
- Relatively easy access for construction and maintenance vehicles
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for grid connection
The flat floodplains along the Missouri River could also be suitable for solar installations, provided they are located outside of flood-prone areas. However, care must be taken to avoid prime agricultural land and environmentally sensitive areas near the river.
While the hillier regions to the west and northwest of Saint Joseph could potentially accommodate solar farms, they may require more extensive site preparation and present challenges in terms of accessibility and uniform panel placement. As such, these areas would generally be considered less ideal for large-scale solar PV projects compared to the flatter terrain to the east.
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: Thursday 25th of July 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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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.
