Warsaw, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers moderately good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation that is typical for this latitude.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows strong solar production during the warmer months, with summer delivering the highest output at 6.69 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind at 6.06 kWh per day, making these the ideal times of year for solar generation at this site. Autumn production drops to 4.14 kWh per day, while winter presents the most challenging period with only 2.52 kWh per day. This winter-to-summer ratio of approximately 1:2.7 reflects the substantial seasonal daylight and sun angle changes experienced at this mid-Atlantic latitude. For fixed panel installations at Warsaw, Virginia, the optimal tilt angle is 33 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round production. This angle balances the varying sun positions throughout the seasons to capture the most solar energy annually.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in this region can impact solar panel performance:

• High humidity and frequent summer thunderstorms can reduce solar irradiance and create temporary power interruptions
• Snow accumulation during winter months can block panels entirely until cleared
• The area's deciduous forests mean falling leaves in autumn can accumulate on panels
• Coastal proximity brings salt air that can accelerate corrosion of mounting hardware
• Ice storms, while infrequent, can damage panels or mounting systems

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Panels should be mounted with adequate tilt and spacing to promote natural cleaning from rainfall and prevent debris accumulation. Using marine-grade mounting hardware and regular anti-corrosion treatments helps combat salt air effects. Installing panels with easy ground-level access facilitates snow and leaf removal when necessary. Micro-inverters or power optimizers can minimize the impact when individual panels are partially shaded or blocked. Additionally, selecting panels with good low-light performance helps maintain production during the frequent overcast conditions common in this humid climate. Regular maintenance schedules should account for seasonal cleaning needs, particularly after autumn leaf-fall and following winter 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 Warsaw

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.9695, Longitude: -76.7665 (Warsaw, 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 33° South in Warsaw, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Warsaw, United States (Lat/Long 37.9695, -76.7665) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Warsaw, 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 Warsaw, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° South in Summer	42° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	31° 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 Warsaw, 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 Warsaw, 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 Warsaw, United States

Topographical Features of the Warsaw Region

Warsaw, located in Virginia's Northern Neck region, sits within the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, characterized by relatively flat to gently rolling terrain. The area lies at a modest elevation, typically ranging from sea level along the waterways to approximately 100 feet above sea level on the higher ground. This low-relief landscape was shaped by ancient marine deposits and subsequent erosion, creating the gentle undulations that define much of the Tidewater region. The topography around Warsaw is dominated by the intricate network of rivers, creeks, and tributaries that flow into the Rappahannock River system. These waterways have carved shallow valleys and created numerous peninsulas and necks of land that give the region its distinctive character. The terrain slopes very gradually toward these water features, with minimal elevation changes across most areas.

Drainage Patterns and Land Features

The local landscape exhibits excellent natural drainage due to its proximity to tidal waters and the gentle slopes that direct surface water toward the extensive creek systems. Sandy and loamy soils predominate throughout the area, having been deposited over millennia by marine processes. These well-draining soils sit atop relatively stable geological formations, providing good foundation conditions for development. Wetlands and marshes occur frequently along the shorelines and in low-lying areas near water bodies, but much of the inland terrain consists of dry, stable ground suitable for various land uses. The region experiences minimal risk from geological hazards such as earthquakes or landslides, making it a stable environment for infrastructure development.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The gently rolling topography around Warsaw presents excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas would be the broad, relatively flat expanses of agricultural land and cleared fields that extend inland from the major waterways. These areas typically offer unobstructed southern exposures with minimal shading concerns from surrounding terrain. The slightly elevated plateaus and gentle south-facing slopes throughout the region would be particularly well-suited for solar arrays, as they provide natural drainage while maintaining optimal orientation toward the sun. Areas with elevations between 50 and 100 feet above sea level offer the best combination of stability, drainage, and accessibility while remaining above potential flood zones. Large tracts of open farmland and former agricultural areas present the most promising sites for utility-scale solar development. These locations typically have existing road access, established electrical infrastructure connections, and minimal environmental constraints compared to forested or wetland areas. The stable soil conditions and gentle topography would minimize site preparation costs and engineering challenges associated with solar installation. Areas to avoid would include the immediate waterfront zones prone to flooding, heavily forested sections that would require extensive clearing, and the narrow necks of land between waterways where space constraints would limit the scale of potential 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!

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.