Solar Energy Potential in Sterling, Virginia

Sterling, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.

Seasonal Performance

Summer presents the most favorable conditions for solar energy production, with an impressive 6.31 kWh per day output for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.51 kWh/day. These seasons offer extended daylight hours and generally clearer skies, maximizing solar panel efficiency. Autumn sees a significant drop in production, with 3.70 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.27 kWh/day. The reduced sunlight hours and lower sun angle during these seasons contribute to the decreased energy generation.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar production in Sterling, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 34-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle accounts for the location's latitude and seasonal variations in the sun's position, ensuring the best possible energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Sterling's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could impact efficiency: 1. Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel output, but this can be mitigated by installing panels at the recommended angle to promote snow sliding off. 2. Occasional cloud cover, particularly in autumn and winter, may affect daily energy production. However, modern solar panels can still generate electricity in diffuse light conditions. 3. Tree shading could be a concern in some residential areas. Careful site assessment and strategic panel placement can help minimize this issue.

Preventative Measures

To ensure optimal solar production in Sterling, consider the following: 1. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels to remove dust, pollen, and other debris. 2. Installing micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance. 3. Utilizing snow-shedding techniques or manual removal for heavy snow accumulation. 4. Implementing a monitoring system to track performance and quickly identify any issues affecting output. By addressing these factors and optimizing panel placement, Sterling residents can effectively harness solar energy throughout the year, with peak production during the 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 Sterling

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.0064, Longitude: -77.4199 (Sterling, 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 Sterling, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sterling, United States (Lat/Long 39.0064, -77.4199) 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 Sterling, 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 Sterling, 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	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Sterling, 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 Sterling, 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 Sterling, United States

The topography around Sterling, Virginia, located at 39.0064°N latitude and 77.4199°W longitude, is generally characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This area is part of the Piedmont region, which lies between the Appalachian Mountains to the west and the coastal plain to the east. The landscape features a mix of open fields, wooded areas, and suburban developments.

The elevation in and around Sterling ranges from about 250 to 400 feet above sea level, with subtle variations throughout the area. The Potomac River, which forms the border between Virginia and Maryland, is located a few miles to the north of Sterling. The river valley introduces some more pronounced topographical features, with steeper slopes and bluffs along its banks.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically have the following characteristics:

• Large, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings
• Relatively flat terrain to simplify installation and reduce costs
• Good sun exposure throughout the day
• Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure
• Areas that are not prime agricultural land or ecologically sensitive

Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Sterling would likely be found in the more rural parts of Loudoun County to the west and northwest of Sterling. These areas often feature larger tracts of open land that was previously used for agriculture or is currently undeveloped. The gently rolling terrain in these locations would generally be conducive to solar panel installation.

However, it's important to note that the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which includes Sterling, is experiencing rapid development and urbanization. This means that available land for large-scale solar projects may be limited and subject to competing interests. Any potential solar PV development would need to be carefully planned in coordination with local zoning regulations, land use policies, and community interests.

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.