Solar PV Analysis of Urbandale, United States
Urbandale, Iowa, in the United States is a fairly decent location for year-round solar energy production. The summer and spring seasons are the most ideal times for generating solar power at this location as they have higher daily electricity outputs of 6.85kWh and 5.34kWh respectively per kW of installed solar. This means that during these seasons, each kilowatt of installed solar can produce more electricity due to longer daylight hours and stronger sunlight intensity.
The autumn and winter seasons yield lower outputs (3.75kWh/day in Autumn and 2.64kWh/day in Winter), due to shorter daylight hours and weaker sunlight intensity caused by the angle of the sun being lower in the sky.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 36 degrees towards the South is recommended to maximize total year-round production from solar photovoltaic (PV). This tilt angle helps ensure that panels receive maximum sunlight throughout different times of day and different seasons.
As for potential factors that could impede solar production at this location - weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or prolonged cloudiness could temporarily reduce output by blocking sunlight from reaching panels. Topographically, if there are tall buildings or trees casting shadows on panels, it could also affect efficiency.
Preventative measures can be taken when installing solar systems to ensure greater energy production despite these factors:
1) Regular maintenance like cleaning off snow or dust from panels can help maintain their efficiency.
2) If possible, choose an installation site with minimal shading throughout the day.
3) Use technology like trackers which allow your panels to move with sun's path across sky for maximum exposure.
4) Install additional capacity (more PV modules) if you know your area has less sunny days so you still meet your energy needs.
Remember though, while these measures can improve performance - they come with additional costs which need to be factored into overall feasibility of installing a solar PV system at this location.
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 Urbandale
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6243, Longitude: -93.7747 (Urbandale, 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 36° South in Urbandale, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Urbandale, United States (Lat/Long 41.6243, -93.7747) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, United States
Urbandale, United States is located in the state of Iowa. The topography around Urbandale is relatively flat to gently rolling, characteristic of the Midwest region. This area is part of the larger Des Moines metropolitan area and it's largely suburban.
The flat or gently sloping lands make it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, since Urbandale and its immediate surroundings are highly developed with residential areas, commercial establishments, and infrastructure like roads and utilities, finding large tracts of open land within the city might be challenging.
For large-scale solar PV installations, you would ideally want to look at more rural areas nearby where there's more open land available. Areas north or south of Urbandale that are outside major towns could potentially be suited for this purpose.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power also depends on factors other than topography such as amount of sunlight received (solar irradiance), local climate conditions (like frequency of cloud cover), availability and cost of land, proximity to power transmission lines or grid connection points etc., which should also be taken into account during site selection process.
In terms of sunlight received throughout the year (solar irradiance), Iowa has a moderate potential for solar power compared to other states in U.S., but advancements in technology have made solar energy viable even in regions with less than optimal sunlight conditions.
Moreover, considering utility-scale projects require significant investment as well as regulatory approvals including environmental impact assessments etc., a detailed feasibility study including all these aspects would need to be conducted before finalizing any location for such project.
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: Wednesday 28th of February 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.
