Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide both opportunities and challenges for those considering solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Upper Darby, with an impressive daily output of 6.45kWh 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 as the second-best season, generating 5.58kWh per day. The increasing daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to this robust performance. Autumn sees a significant drop in solar production, with 3.73kWh per day. This decrease is attributed to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky. Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy generation in Upper Darby, with only 2.25kWh produced per day. The combination of shorter days, lower sun angles, and potentially more overcast conditions contributes to this reduced output.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Upper Darby, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Upper Darby's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact performance: 1. Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow guards can mitigate this issue. 2. Tree cover and shading from nearby buildings may affect some properties. Careful site assessment and strategic panel placement can help overcome these obstacles. 3. The region experiences occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and hurricanes. Using durable, weather-resistant panels and secure mounting systems can protect the installation from potential damage. By addressing these factors during the planning and installation phases, solar PV systems in Upper Darby can be optimized to generate clean, renewable energy efficiently 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 Upper Darby

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9218, Longitude: -75.268 (Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Upper Darby, United States (Lat/Long 39.9218, -75.268) 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 Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, United States

Upper Darby, located in Pennsylvania, United States, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys. The topography of the area is relatively mild, with elevations ranging from about 100 to 300 feet above sea level. The landscape is a mix of suburban development and remnants of the area's natural features. The terrain in and around Upper Darby is part of the larger Piedmont region, which extends from New Jersey to Alabama. This physiographic province is known for its undulating landscape, formed by centuries of erosion of ancient mountain ranges. The area's topography is marked by low hills, small streams, and occasional flat areas. To the east of Upper Darby, the land gradually slopes down towards the Delaware River and the coastal plain. This transition creates a subtle change in the landscape, with the terrain becoming flatter as one moves closer to the river. To the west and northwest, the land becomes slightly more elevated and hillier as it approaches the Appalachian Mountains.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The areas to the west and southwest of Upper Darby, particularly in Chester and Delaware counties, might offer more suitable locations for large-scale solar projects. These regions tend to have more open spaces and farmland, which could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. The gently rolling hills in these areas could provide good sun exposure if properly oriented. Another potential area for solar development could be found in the more industrial zones along the Delaware River to the south and southeast of Upper Darby. These areas often have large, flat rooftops that could be ideal for solar panel installation. Additionally, brownfield sites or former industrial areas in the region could be repurposed for solar farms, combining land reclamation with renewable energy production. It's important to note that while the topography around Upper Darby is generally favorable for solar energy, other factors such as local zoning laws, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV projects in the region.

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.