Solar PV Analysis of Johnstown, Colorado, United States
The location at Johnstown, Colorado, United States is moderately ideal for generating energy via solar PV panels year-round. The amount of electricity produced from these panels changes with each season. In the summer, you can expect to get about 7.50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar installed. This number drops to 4.56 kWh/day in the autumn and even further to 2.92 kWh/day in winter before rising back up to 5.83 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the best time of year to generate solar power at this location would be during summer when sunlight levels are highest, followed by spring and autumn respectively while winter is least ideal due to lower sunlight levels.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of about 35 degrees facing south will maximize their total yearly production.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could hinder solar production here go, Johnstown is located on the Great Plains which can experience hail storms especially during late Spring through early Autumn which could damage unprotected panels if not properly shielded or built with resistant materials; snow accumulation during Winter may also cover and reduce efficiency of panels but this can be mitigated by installing them at an angle where snow slides off easily or cleared regularly; finally dust storms although less frequent might require regular cleaning of your solar panels so they continue working efficiently.
In conclusion: While there are some challenges associated with using solar energy in Johnstown such as seasonal variations in sun exposure and potential weather-related issues like hail storms or snowfall covering your panels - these obstacles are manageable given proper precautions like angling your installation appropriately for maximum sun exposure throughout different seasons and ensuring regular maintenance/cleaning particularly after adverse weather events.
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 Johnstown, Colorado
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.3348, Longitude: -104.9238 (Johnstown, Colorado, 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 35° South in Johnstown, Colorado, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Johnstown, Colorado, United States (Lat/Long 40.3348, -104.9238) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Johnstown, Colorado, 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 Johnstown, Colorado, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° 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 Johnstown, Colorado, 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 Johnstown, Colorado, 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 Johnstown, Colorado, United States
The specified coordinates for Johnstown, United States, place it in the state of Colorado. The topography around this area is relatively flat with some gentle rolling hills as it is located on the Front Range Urban Corridor where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. It has a semi-arid climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are open and receive a lot of sunlight would be most suitable. Given Johnstown's location and topography, surrounding plains to the east could potentially be good sites for such installations as they receive ample sunlight and have less obstruction from mountains or tall buildings.
However, before deciding on any specific site for large-scale solar PV installation, several factors need to be considered including local weather patterns (amount of sunny days per year), land availability and use restrictions (agricultural lands might have different regulations), proximity to power transmission lines (to feed generated electricity into grid) and potential environmental impacts. Detailed feasibility studies should therefore be conducted by professionals in renewable energy field.
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: Sunday 23rd 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.
