Solar PV Analysis of Venetia, United States
Venetia, Pennsylvania is a decent location for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. However, the amount of electricity that can be produced from these systems will vary depending on the season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity because there's more sunlight. Specifically, in summer you could generate around 6.10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity and 5.37 kWh/day per kW in spring.
In contrast, during autumn and winter when there's less sunlight available due to shorter days and possibly cloudy weather, your solar panels will produce less electricity - about 3.46 kWh/day per kW in autumn and only 1.84 kWh/day per kW in winter.
To maximize the total amount of electricity generated throughout the year from your solar PV system at this location it would be best if you tilt your panels at an angle of 34 degrees facing South; this way they'll capture as much sunlight as possible over different times of the day and across all seasons.
However, like any other place Venetia has its own local factors that might affect how well your solar panels work. For example:
- Weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or long periods with little sunshine during winter months could reduce power generation.
- Trees or buildings may cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency.
- Dust or debris might accumulate on top of them preventing optimal absorption of sunlight.
To prevent these issues:
- You may need to clear snow off your panels after a storm
- Trim trees regularly or position your installation where it won't be shaded most parts of the day
- Clean dust/debris from panel surfaces every now and then
Keep in mind though that while doing so increases efficiency it also means additional maintenance effort/costs which should be factored into overall feasibility calculations when considering solar PV for 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 Venetia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.275, Longitude: -80.0649 (Venetia, 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 Venetia, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Venetia, United States (Lat/Long 40.275, -80.0649) 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 Venetia, 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 Venetia, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° 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 Venetia, 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 Venetia, 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 Venetia, United States
Venetia is located in the state of Pennsylvania, United States. The area around Venetia is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It's part of the Appalachian region, which features valleys and ridges with some areas covered in forests.
For large-scale solar PV installations, you would typically look for flat or gently sloping lands that have good sun exposure (south-facing in Northern Hemisphere) and aren't heavily shaded. In this regard, open fields or cleared lands could be suitable around Venetia given its latitude which allows for adequate sunlight throughout the year.
However, it's also crucial to consider other factors such as proximity to power grids for easy integration and transmission of generated electricity, land use regulations that may restrict certain types of development, as well as environmental impact assessments.
In addition to geographical considerations, economic factors including cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh), incentives from government programs aimed at promoting renewable energy adoption can influence where large-scale solar PV systems are most viable.
Given all these factors it would be best to conduct a detailed site-specific study involving both topographic surveying and techno-economic analysis before deciding on potential locations for large scale solar PV installations near Venicita.
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: Friday 5th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
