Solar PV Analysis of Tooele, United States
The location in Tooele, Utah, is quite suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, the productivity of the system varies with each season due to changes in sunlight availability.
In simple terms, a solar PV system installed at this location can produce more electricity during Summer and Spring as compared to Autumn and Winter. Specifically, it can generate around 7.75 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar installed in Summer and about 6.73 kWh/day/kW in Spring. On the other hand, production drops to roughly 4.26 kWh/day/kW during Autumn and further down to about 2.69 kWh/day/kW in Winter.
To maximize total year-round production from a fixed panel installation at this location, it's recommended that panels are tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing South.
As for potential impediments to solar production at this site; local weather conditions such as snowfall could cover panels reducing their effectiveness or hailstorms could potentially damage them while dust accumulation might also reduce their efficiency over time if not regularly cleaned off.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Regular maintenance including cleaning of panels should be done especially after storms or heavy snowfall.
2) Protective measures like installing durable protective covers over the panels can help protect against potential hailstorm damage.
3) Panels should be installed on structures that allow easy access for cleaning and maintenance purposes.
However overall, given its latitude positioning within the Northern Temperate Zone which typically receives ample sunlight throughout most of the year combined with proper installation techniques used; Tooele would generally be considered a good place for harnessing energy via Solar PV technology all-year-round despite some seasonal fluctuations expectedly affecting output levels somewhat across different times of year but still making it worthwhile investment overall when considering annual return rates on produced electricity amounts generated there.
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 Tooele
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.5452, Longitude: -112.2973 (Tooele, 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 35° South in Tooele, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tooele, United States (Lat/Long 40.5452, -112.2973) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Tooele, 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 Tooele, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° 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 Tooele, 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 Tooele, 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 Tooele, United States
Tooele, United States is located in the state of Utah and is characterized by a semi-arid desert landscape. The area has a mix of flatlands and mountainous regions, with the Oquirrh Mountains to the east and Stansbury Island to the northwest. The Great Salt Lake lies just north of Tooele.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are typically preferred as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. Therefore, areas around Tooele that are relatively flat would be most suitable for such projects.
One potential location could be the west or southwest of Tooele where there appears to be vast expanses of relatively flat land. However, it's important to note that any proposed site would need detailed assessment considering factors such as land ownership, environmental impact and proximity to existing power infrastructure.
Additionally, Utah generally has high solar potential due its high average annual sunlight exposure making it an ideal location for solar energy projects.
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: Monday 1st of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
