Vineyard, Utah, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's coordinates (40.1777, -111.5344) provide insight into its solar capabilities across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar energy production in Vineyard fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.86 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.74 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 4.18 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.65 kWh/day.

Optimal Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Vineyard are during the summer months, typically from June through August. Spring, particularly from April to May, also offers excellent solar potential. These periods benefit from longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing solar panel efficiency.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Vineyard, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Vineyard generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy, there are some factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
• Occasional air pollution from nearby urban areas may slightly decrease solar irradiance

To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and regularly clean the panels to remove any accumulated dust or pollutants. Additionally, using high-quality, durable panels can help withstand varying weather conditions and maintain optimal performance.

Overall, Vineyard, Utah offers a good location for solar PV installations, with strong potential during summer and spring months, and manageable challenges that can be addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Vineyard

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.1777, Longitude: -111.5344 (Vineyard, 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:

Average 7.86kWh/day in Summer.

Average 4.18kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 2.65kWh/day in Winter.

Average 6.74kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 34° South in Vineyard, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vineyard, United States (Lat/Long 40.1777, -111.5344) 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.

At Latitude: 40.1777, Longitude: -111.5344, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 34° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Vineyard, 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 Vineyard, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Vineyard, 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 Vineyard, 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 Vineyard, United States

The area around Vineyard, Utah, located at 40.1777° N latitude and 111.5344° W longitude, is characterized by a diverse topography that reflects its position in the transition zone between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin. Here's a description of the landscape in and around Vineyard:

Vineyard itself sits on relatively flat terrain near the eastern shore of Utah Lake. This area was once primarily agricultural land, but it has been rapidly developing into a suburban community. The land here is generally level, with a gentle slope towards the lake to the west.

To the east of Vineyard, the terrain begins to rise into the foothills of the Wasatch Range. These foothills gradually increase in elevation, leading to the more dramatic peaks of the Wasatch Mountains further east. This mountainous area features steep slopes, canyons, and rugged terrain typical of the Rocky Mountain region.

To the west, Utah Lake dominates the landscape. This large freshwater lake is relatively shallow and sits in a broad, flat valley. The western shore of the lake is bordered by lower hills that separate it from the rest of the Great Basin region.

Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the most promising locations would likely be found in the flatter areas to the west and southwest of Vineyard. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy production:

1. The terrain is generally flat, which makes construction and maintenance of solar arrays easier and more cost-effective.
2. There is less shadowing from mountains or other geographic features, allowing for more consistent sunlight exposure throughout the day.
3. The area receives ample sunlight due to its semi-arid climate and relatively high elevation.
4. There are large open spaces that could potentially be utilized for solar farms without significant impact on residential or commercial areas.

However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to consider factors beyond just topography, such as proximity to power infrastructure, local zoning laws, environmental impacts, and the agricultural value of the land. The areas immediately surrounding Utah Lake might also face restrictions due to wildlife habitats or recreational use.

While the mountainous areas to the east offer some south-facing slopes that could be suitable for solar installations, the rugged terrain and potential for shadowing from nearby peaks make these locations generally less ideal for large-scale projects compared to the flatter lands to the west.

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.

©Copyright Aaron Robinson and profileSOLAR.com 2019-2025

Home
Solar: United States
Solar: Worldwide
Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Login

Privacy
Disclaimer
Impressum
Contact Us