Waukee, Iowa, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a varied landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 41.6117° N latitude and 93.8852° W longitude, this location experiences distinct seasonal changes that significantly impact solar PV performance.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Waukee, with an impressive output of 6.85 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.34 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 3.75 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.64 kWh/day/kW.

The substantial variation between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy generation in this region. Long summer days with high sun angles contribute to peak performance, while shorter winter days with lower sun angles result in reduced output.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Waukee, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 36 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun position.

Environmental Considerations

While Waukee's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
• Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, may pose risks to solar installations

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow shedding and using robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance year-round.

Despite these challenges, Waukee's location offers good potential for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early fall. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to local energy needs throughout the year.

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 Waukee

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6117, Longitude: -93.8852 (Waukee, 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 36° South in Waukee, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Waukee, United States (Lat/Long 41.6117, -93.8852) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Waukee, 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 Waukee, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
25° South in Summer	46° South in Autumn	56° South in Winter	34° 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 Waukee, 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 Waukee, 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 Waukee, United States

The topography around Waukee, Iowa, located at approximately 41.6117°N latitude and 93.8852°W longitude, is characterized by gently rolling plains typical of the Midwestern United States. This area is part of the larger Central Lowlands region, which features a predominantly flat to slightly undulating landscape shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age. Waukee and its surrounding areas sit on what is known as the Des Moines Lobe, a landform created by the most recent glacial advance in Iowa. As a result, the terrain is generally smooth with subtle variations in elevation. The land gradually slopes from northwest to southeast, with elevation changes typically ranging from 10 to 30 feet over short distances. The area is dotted with small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys into the landscape. These waterways, such as Sugar Creek and Walnut Creek, contribute to the minor undulations in the terrain. Despite these subtle features, the overall impression of the landscape remains one of open, expansive farmland and prairie.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain around Waukee offers numerous potential sites for solar farms. Ideal locations would include: 1. Open agricultural land: The abundance of flat or slightly sloping farmland in the region provides excellent opportunities for solar PV development. Areas to the south and west of Waukee, where there is less urban development, could be particularly suitable. 2. Slightly elevated areas: Locations with a slight southern slope would be ideal for maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. These can be found scattered throughout the region, often on the edges of the shallow valleys formed by streams. 3. Areas away from flood plains: While much of the land around Waukee is suitable, it's important to avoid low-lying areas near streams and creeks that may be prone to flooding. Higher ground between waterways would be preferable. 4. Locations with existing infrastructure: Areas close to existing power lines and substations would be advantageous for connecting solar farms to the grid. The western and southern outskirts of Waukee, where there is a balance between open land and proximity to infrastructure, could be ideal. 5. Brownfield sites: Any former industrial or commercial sites in the broader region that are no longer in use could be repurposed for solar PV installations, combining land reclamation with renewable energy production. It's worth noting that while the topography around Waukee is generally favorable for solar PV development, specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, land ownership, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in identifying the best areas for large-scale solar projects in this region.

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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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.