Solar PV Analysis of Alexandria, Kentucky, United States
The location at Alexandria, Kentucky, United States is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaics (PV) throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season.
During summer, you can expect to get about 6.24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day from each kilowatt of installed solar. This is a good amount and makes summer an ideal time for solar power generation here.
In autumn, the output drops to around 3.93 kWh/day per kW of installed solar. This is lower than in summer but still reasonable.
Winter sees the lowest production with only about 2.24 kWh/day per kW of installed solar due to shorter daylight hours and potentially cloudier weather conditions.
Spring brings an improvement with approximately 5.56 kWh/day per kW of installed solar which is nearly as good as in summer.
For maximum efficiency throughout the year, it's recommended that fixed panel installations are tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing southward in this location.
As far as environmental or local factors that could hinder production are concerned, there could be several possible impediments such as trees or buildings casting shadows on panels reducing their exposure to sunlight; heavy snowfall during winter months might cover panels; regular cloudy days or foggy weather might also decrease sun exposure and thus reduce energy output.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Careful placement and angling of panels away from shade-causing structures during installation will help ensure maximum sunlight exposure.
2) Regular maintenance including clearing off snow or debris will keep panels clean maximizing their efficiency.
3) Use high-quality PV modules designed for low-light performance if frequent cloudy days are expected.
4) Consider installing trackers which allow your system to follow the sun’s path across the sky increasing overall annual production although they come with additional costs compared to fixed tilt systems.
Overall though while not perfect, Alexandria, Kentucky is a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation with the right setup and maintenance.
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 Alexandria, Kentucky
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.942, Longitude: -84.404 (Alexandria, Kentucky, 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 Alexandria, Kentucky, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alexandria, Kentucky, United States (Lat/Long 38.942, -84.404) 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 Alexandria, Kentucky, 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 Alexandria, Kentucky, 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 | 43° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 32° 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 Alexandria, Kentucky, 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 Alexandria, Kentucky, 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 Alexandria, Kentucky, United States
The area around Alexandria, United States (Lat,Long: 38.942,-84.404) is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain with numerous bodies of water such as creeks and rivers. The region has a humid subtropical climate with relatively high annual sunlight hours which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, the following factors are typically considered: availability of flat or gently sloping land, proximity to transmission lines or substations for grid connection, and minimal shading from vegetation or other structures.
In the case of Alexandria:
1. Flat agricultural lands in the surrounding rural areas could be potential sites for large-scale solar farms.
2. Areas near existing power infrastructure like substations would also be ideal to minimize costs associated with transmitting electricity to the grid.
3. Open spaces within industrial zones can also be considered given their usually extensive rooftops that can accommodate significant amounts of panels.
However, any decision on exact locations should consider local zoning laws and regulations along with environmental impact assessments before proceeding with installation.
It's important to note that while this provides an overview based on general geographical information about Alexandria's topography and climate suitability for solar energy production, a more detailed site-specific assessment would need to be conducted by professionals in renewable energy project development before any definitive conclusions can be drawn about specific locations' suitability for large scale solar PV installations.
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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 27th of June 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.
