Tijeras, New Mexico, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. With coordinates of 35.0809° N latitude and 106.3881° W longitude, this area experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Tijeras fluctuates with the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, yielding an impressive 7.65 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.43 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output with 5.38 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.77 kWh/day/kW.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Tijeras, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 31-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal variations in solar elevation, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.

Ideal Generation Periods

The most favorable times for solar energy generation in Tijeras are during the summer and spring months. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in peak energy production. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the area still maintains a respectable level of solar potential year-round.

Environmental Considerations

Tijeras, being located in a semi-arid climate, faces some environmental factors that could impact solar production. Dust and occasional sandstorms may accumulate on solar panels, reducing their efficiency. To mitigate this issue, regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels is essential. Installing panels at a slight angle can also help prevent dust buildup.

Additionally, the region experiences occasional severe weather events, such as hailstorms. To protect against potential damage, it's advisable to use impact-resistant solar panels or install protective covers that can be deployed during extreme weather conditions.

Despite these challenges, Tijeras remains an excellent location for solar energy production. With proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, the environmental factors can be effectively managed, allowing for optimal solar energy generation throughout the year.

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 Tijeras

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.0809, Longitude: -106.3881 (Tijeras, 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 31° South in Tijeras, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tijeras, United States (Lat/Long 35.0809, -106.3881) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Tijeras, 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 Tijeras, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	28° 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 Tijeras, 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 Tijeras, 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 Tijeras, United States

The topography around Tijeras, New Mexico, is characterized by rugged, mountainous terrain typical of the southern Rocky Mountains. Tijeras sits in a canyon at the southern end of the Sandia Mountains, with elevations ranging from about 6,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level in the immediate vicinity. The landscape is marked by steep slopes, rocky outcrops, and forested areas dominated by ponderosa pine and juniper trees. To the west of Tijeras, the terrain gradually descends towards the Rio Grande Valley and the city of Albuquerque. This area features a mix of foothills and high desert plains, with gentler slopes and more open spaces. To the east, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous as it transitions into the Manzano Mountains.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

While the immediate surroundings of Tijeras are not ideal for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations due to the rugged terrain and forest cover, there are nearby areas that could be more suitable. The most promising locations for solar PV development would likely be found to the west and southwest of Tijeras, where the landscape opens up into flatter, more expansive terrain. The East Mountains area, which includes parts of Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, has some potential for solar development on private lands with suitable topography. These areas benefit from high elevation, which can increase solar radiation intensity, and generally clear skies that are conducive to solar energy production. Further west, as the terrain transitions into the outskirts of Albuquerque, there are more extensive flat areas that could accommodate large-scale solar installations. These locations would have the added advantage of being closer to existing power infrastructure and population centers, potentially reducing transmission costs and losses. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, land use regulations, and proximity to transmission lines. Additionally, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations, taking into account factors such as solar resource quality, land availability, and grid connection possibilities.

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.