Solar PV Analysis of Washington Court House, United States
The location at Washington Court House, Ohio, United States is somewhat suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. However, the effectiveness varies with the seasons.
In simple terms, a solar PV system at this location will produce more electricity in some parts of the year than others. In summer and spring, when days are longer and sunnier, you can expect to generate 6.23 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 5.54 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity respectively. This means that these two seasons are ideal times for generating solar power.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter when there's less sunlight due to shorter days or possibly cloudier weather conditions; you'll get significantly less - about 3.73 kWh/day in Autumn and only around 2.21 kWh/day in Winter from each kilowatt of installed solar.
To make sure your panels absorb as much sunlight as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing South if they're fixed installations here.
There could be factors like local weather conditions that might affect how much electricity your panels can produce though – such as heavy snowfall covering up your panels or cloudy days limiting exposure to sunlight particularly during winter months which already have shorter daylight hours.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Consider installing a mechanized system that clears snow off your panels automatically.
2) Clean them regularly so dust or bird droppings don't block out any light.
3) If possible consider installing tracking mounts which follow the sun's path across the sky allowing maximum exposure throughout daylight hours regardless of season rather than just when it's directly overhead.
4) Also consider using high efficiency modules designed to perform better under lower light conditions common in winter months & on cloudy days.
Remember though while these measures may increase output, they could also increase your installation and maintenance costs. It's best to weigh these factors against potential benefits when deciding on a solar PV system 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 Washington Court House
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.5435, Longitude: -83.4574 (Washington Court House, 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 Washington Court House, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Washington Court House, United States (Lat/Long 39.5435, -83.4574) 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 Washington Court House, 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 Washington Court House, 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 | 44° 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 Washington Court House, 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 Washington Court House, 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 Washington Court House, United States
Washington Court House is located in Fayette County, Ohio, United States. The topography of the area is generally flat to gently rolling, characteristic of the Midwestern United States. It falls within the Till Plains ecoregion and has fertile soil ideal for agriculture.
Large-scale solar PV projects require vast tracts of land with good sun exposure. Given Washington Court House's relatively flat terrain and open agricultural lands, it could potentially be suitable for such a project. However, several factors would need to be considered:
1) Availability of Land: Large scale solar projects require significant amounts of land. While agricultural areas might seem suitable, conflicts can arise between food production and energy generation.
2) Sunlight Exposure: This region has moderate sunlight exposure; not as high as southwestern states but still considerable.
3) Proximity to Transmission Lines: For energy generated to reach consumers efficiently, proximity to transmission lines is crucial.
4) Environmental Impact: Any potential impacts on local wildlife or ecosystems must also be assessed before proceeding with large-scale solar installations.
5) Local Regulations & Community Support: Finally, local regulations regarding renewable energy projects and community support are vital considerations for any large-scale project implementation.
Specific locations best suited for large-scale solar PV near Washington Court House would need detailed site surveys considering all these factors.
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: Monday 17th 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.
