Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, in the United States, offers a moderate location for solar PV energy generation, with significant seasonal variations in output. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasons that directly impact solar energy production throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Swarthmore produce their highest output during summer months, generating approximately 6.45kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, with daily generation averaging 5.58kWh per kilowatt. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 3.73kWh per day, while winter represents the lowest production period at just 2.25kWh per day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern creates a yearly cycle where production peaks in summer, gradually decreases through autumn, reaches its minimum in winter, and then rebounds during spring. The significant difference between summer and winter production (nearly three times more energy in summer) highlights the seasonal nature of solar generation at this latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Swarthmore, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle represents the best compromise between capturing lower-angle winter sun and higher-angle summer sun, optimizing total annual energy yield.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Swarthmore:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce output until panels clear, though the 34-degree tilt helps with snow shedding
• Tree cover and shading is significant in this suburban area with mature trees
• Occasional severe weather including thunderstorms and rare hurricane remnants can bring temporary cloud cover
• Seasonal pollen and leaf debris can reduce panel efficiency if not cleaned regularly

Preventative measures for these challenges include strategic tree trimming around panel installations, installing panels high enough to minimize shading impacts, implementing regular cleaning schedules (especially during fall and spring), and considering snow-clearing mechanisms for winter months. Microinverters or power optimizers can also help minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

Despite these challenges, Swarthmore's location still provides sufficient solar resource to make PV installations viable, particularly if designed with these seasonal variations in mind.

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 Swarthmore

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9002, Longitude: -75.3528 (Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Swarthmore, United States (Lat/Long 39.9002, -75.3528) 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 Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore, United States

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania is situated in Delaware County in the southeastern part of the state, approximately 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia. The topography of the area around Swarthmore is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Piedmont Plateau region. This physiographic province features moderate elevation changes, with the terrain gradually sloping from the northwest toward the southeast in the direction of the Delaware River. The area has an average elevation of approximately 140 feet (43 meters) above sea level, with modest variations throughout the region. Swarthmore itself sits on slightly elevated ground compared to some of its immediate surroundings, particularly to the east where the land descends toward Crum Creek, one of several streams that carve shallow valleys through the landscape. These waterways, including Crum Creek and Ridley Creek, have shaped the local topography by creating natural drainage channels that flow generally southeastward toward the Delaware River.

Surrounding Terrain Features

The terrain around Swarthmore exhibits a mix of developed suburban areas interspersed with patches of woodland, open spaces, and riparian corridors along the streams. The western and northern portions of the region tend to have slightly higher elevations and more rolling terrain compared to areas closer to the Delaware River to the southeast. This region falls within what geologists refer to as the Atlantic Coastal Plain's edge, where it transitions to the Piedmont. The bedrock consists primarily of ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks, though these are often covered by layers of soil and sediment. The soils tend to be moderately well-drained, with variable depth depending on the specific location.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors related to topography must be considered, including slope orientation, land availability, and existing land use. In the vicinity of Swarthmore, the most suitable areas for solar development would likely include: The relatively flat agricultural lands to the southwest in Delaware County and extending into neighboring Chester County present favorable conditions for solar installations. These areas offer larger continuous parcels with minimal shading concerns and favorable southern exposures. Former industrial sites along the Delaware River corridor, particularly in areas south and southeast of Swarthmore, provide potential brownfield redevelopment opportunities for solar installations. These locations often feature large, relatively flat parcels with existing access to electrical infrastructure. Areas with gentle south-facing slopes throughout the region would be particularly advantageous for maximizing solar exposure. These can be found scattered throughout the rolling landscape, especially in the transitions between hilltops and valley floors. The moderately sloping terrain north and west of Swarthmore contains some open spaces that could accommodate solar development, though careful site selection would be necessary to avoid heavily wooded areas and residential zones. It's worth noting that while the topography is generally conducive to solar development, the high degree of suburban development in the immediate vicinity of Swarthmore limits the availability of large, continuous parcels. The most promising areas for utility-scale solar installations would likely be found in the less densely developed regions several miles to the west and southwest, where larger tracts of agricultural and open land remain available.

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.