Temple Hills, Maryland, located in the United States at latitude 38.8224 and longitude -76.9466, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Temple Hills, with an average daily output of 6.69 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high performance is due to longer daylight hours and the sun's higher position in the sky. Spring follows closely behind summer in terms of solar energy production, averaging 5.95 kWh per day per kW installed. This season benefits from increasing daylight hours and generally clearer skies. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, with an average of 4.08 kWh per day per kW installed. This reduction is primarily due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky. Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy production in Temple Hills, with an average daily output of only 2.49 kWh per kW installed. The combination of shorter days, lower sun angle, and potentially more cloudy weather contributes to this significant drop in performance.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Temple Hills, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the higher summer sun with the lower winter sun.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Temple Hills generally offers good conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact performance: 1. Snow accumulation in winter: Heavy snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency, but this can be mitigated by installing panels at the optimal angle to encourage snow sliding off. 2. Tree shading: The area's vegetation could cast shadows on panels, particularly in residential areas. Careful site selection and tree trimming can help minimize this issue. 3. Humidity and air pollution: Being relatively close to urban areas, air quality might occasionally affect solar irradiance. Regular panel cleaning can help maintain optimal performance. To maximize solar energy production in Temple Hills, consider these preventative measures: • Use high-efficiency panels that perform well in varying light conditions • Implement a robust cleaning and maintenance schedule • Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading • Consider a tracking system for larger installations to follow the sun's daily path Overall, while Temple Hills experiences seasonal variations in solar energy production, it remains a viable location for solar PV installations with proper planning and maintenance.

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 Temple Hills

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.8224, Longitude: -76.9466 (Temple Hills, 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 Temple Hills, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Temple Hills, United States (Lat/Long 38.8224, -76.9466) 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 Temple Hills, 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 Temple Hills, 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
22° 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 Temple Hills, 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 Temple Hills, 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 Temple Hills, United States

The area around Temple Hills, located in Prince George's County, Maryland, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain region. The topography is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from about 150 to 300 feet above sea level. The landscape is a mix of suburban development, small woodlands, and open spaces.

Temple Hills itself sits on slightly elevated ground compared to its immediate surroundings. To the east, the land gradually slopes down towards the Potomac River, which is about 5 miles away. To the west, the terrain becomes somewhat more hilly as it transitions into the Piedmont region.

The area features numerous small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time. These waterways generally flow eastward, eventually draining into the Potomac River or its tributaries. The gentle topography has made this region attractive for urban and suburban development, resulting in a patchwork of residential areas, commercial zones, and pockets of undeveloped land.

Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the more rural parts of Prince George's County to the east and southeast of Temple Hills. These areas offer larger tracts of open, relatively flat land that could accommodate solar arrays. Some potential locations might include:

• Agricultural fields in the vicinity of Upper Marlboro, about 10-15 miles southeast of Temple Hills
• Open spaces near the communities of Brandywine and Baden, approximately 15-20 miles southeast
• Undeveloped areas along the Maryland Route 5 corridor, heading southeast from Temple Hills

These locations would be more suitable for large-scale solar installations due to their flatter terrain, lower population density, and larger available land parcels. However, it's important to note that any solar project would need to consider factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental impact, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure.

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

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.