Solar PV Analysis of Tempe, United States
In simple terms, Tempe, Arizona is a pretty good place to generate energy using solar panels all year round. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies by season. In summer and spring, you can expect about 7.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar; in autumn this drops to about 5.5 kWh/day, and in winter it's around 4 kWh/day.
The best times of the year to generate solar power in Tempe are during the spring and summer months when the sun is shining most brightly and for the longest period each day. To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle facing 29 degrees South.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy your panels can produce such as dust storms which are common in Arizona especially during summer months (June through September). These storms can cover your panels with dust or sand reducing their efficiency significantly.
To prevent this from happening or at least minimize its impact on your system’s performance, consider installing automatic panel cleaning systems that use brushes or water jets to keep them clean. Also regular manual cleaning may be required especially after severe storms.
Additionally heat could also become an issue since high temperatures tend to reduce panel efficiency but given that we're talking about relatively dry heat in Arizona rather than humid heat - it's not as significant a factor as it would be elsewhere.
So overall while there are some challenges linked with weather conditions specific to Arizona desert environment - these are manageable with appropriate measures like regular cleaning and maintenance ensuring optimal performance from your Solar PV system throughout the year.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Tempe
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.4306, Longitude: -111.9256 (Tempe, 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 29° South in Tempe, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tempe, United States (Lat/Long 33.4306, -111.9256) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Tempe, 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 Tempe, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 48° South in Winter | 26° 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 Tempe, 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 Tempe, 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 Tempe, United States
Tempe, Arizona, is located in the Salt River Valley, also known as the "Valley of the Sun" in the Sonoran Desert. The topography around Tempe is fairly flat with some hilly areas and mountain ranges further out such as Camelback Mountain to the north and Usery Mountain Regional Park to the east.
The climate in Tempe is arid with very hot summers and mild winters. It receives abundant sunshine throughout most of the year which makes it a highly suitable location for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Large-scale solar PV projects would require large open spaces that are exposed to ample sunlight. Given this requirement, regions outside of densely populated areas like downtown Tempe would be more suitable for such projects. Areas towards East Mesa or Apache Junction could be potential locations due to their relatively less dense population and larger open spaces.
However, feasibility will also depend on other factors like land use regulations, proximity to transmission lines or substations for power evacuation etc., which need detailed investigation before deciding on any site.
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: Sunday 28th of April 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.
