Solar PV Analysis of Stafford, United States
Stafford, Virginia in the United States is a good location for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, it's not perfect. The amount of energy you can expect to generate varies significantly depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.46 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This is the best time of year for generating solar energy in Stafford because the days are longer and there's more sunlight.
In autumn, that number drops to about 4.01 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels because there's less sunlight as the days get shorter.
Winter sees a further drop in potential energy generation with only about 2.47 kWh/day per kW due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
Spring offers improved conditions with around 5.73 kWh/day per kW as daylight hours increase and sun intensity improves again after winter.
To get the most out of your solar PV system in Stafford throughout all these seasons, it would be best to tilt your panels at an angle of 33 degrees facing southwards so they can capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
As far as local factors that could potentially impede solar production go, Stafford does have some challenges but none are insurmountable:
1. Weather: Like many places on Earth, Stafford experiences cloudy or rainy weather which could reduce how much sunshine reaches your panels.
Preventative Measure: While we can't control weather patterns, using high-efficiency PV modules can help ensure maximum generation during such periods.
2. Topography: Depending on where exactly you're located within Stafford county or if surrounded by tall trees/buildings might cause shading issues reducing panel efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Careful site selection and design considerations including tree trimming or choosing pole-mounted systems that can be adjusted throughout the year can help mitigate these challenges.
3. Snow: In winter, snowfall could cover panels reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Panels installed at the ideal 33 degrees tilt should allow snow to slide off naturally and if not, they can be manually cleared with care.
In conclusion, while Stafford is not an absolutely perfect location for solar energy generation due to some seasonal and local factors, it's still a good spot overall. With careful planning and installation, you can generate a substantial amount of energy from a solar PV system here.
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 Stafford
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.4555, Longitude: -77.4326 (Stafford, 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 33° South in Stafford, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stafford, United States (Lat/Long 38.4555, -77.4326) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 31° 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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, United States
Stafford, United States is located in the state of Virginia and is characterized by a relatively flat topography with some gently rolling hills. The region has a mix of forested areas and open land, as well as residential and commercial developments.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are usually most suitable because they allow for easier installation and maintenance, better sun exposure, and less shading from trees or buildings. In the vicinity of Stafford, areas such as agricultural lands or unused open spaces could be potential sites for solar farms.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV also depends on other factors such as local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids for easy transmission of electricity produced etc. A detailed feasibility study would be needed to identify the most suitable locations specifically.
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 20th of February 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.
