West Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

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

These figures indicate that solar energy production in West Des Moines is most effective from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While West Des Moines offers good potential for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snowfall: Iowa experiences significant snowfall in winter, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps snow slide off more easily.
• Cloud cover: The region can have extended periods of overcast skies, particularly in winter and early spring, potentially reducing solar output.

To mitigate these issues, consider using snow-shedding panel designs and implementing a regular cleaning schedule. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production even during periods of lower solar intensity.

Overall, while West Des Moines faces some challenges for year-round solar production, particularly in winter, it still offers substantial potential for solar energy generation, especially during the warmer months.

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 West Des Moines

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.5769, Longitude: -93.8021 (West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in West Des Moines, United States (Lat/Long 41.5769, -93.8021) 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, United States

West Des Moines, located in central Iowa, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and prairie landscapes. The topography of the area is primarily the result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which left behind a mix of flat to moderately undulating terrain. The city itself sits on a relatively flat plain, with subtle elevation changes throughout. To the north and east, the land gradually slopes down towards the Des Moines River valley. This river, along with its tributaries, has carved shallow valleys and created some areas of more pronounced relief in the surrounding landscape.

Surrounding Topography

As you move away from West Des Moines, the terrain becomes slightly more varied. To the south and west, the land rises gradually, forming a series of low hills and ridges. These features are part of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain, a region known for its dissected topography created by erosion over thousands of years. Despite these modest variations in elevation, the overall landscape around West Des Moines remains relatively open and expansive. This characteristic is typical of the Midwest's prairie regions, where vast stretches of land were once covered in tall grasses before being converted to agricultural use.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain surrounding West Des Moines offers numerous potential sites for solar farms. Areas to the south and west of the city, where the land rises slightly, could be particularly suitable. These elevated areas often receive more direct sunlight throughout the day and are less likely to be affected by shadowing from nearby structures or natural features. Additionally, the open nature of the landscape means there are fewer obstacles that might impede solar energy collection. Agricultural land in the region, particularly fields that are less productive or lying fallow, could be ideal candidates for solar PV development. These areas are typically already cleared, relatively flat, and have good access to existing infrastructure. It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar installations, other factors such as proximity to electrical grid infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar PV projects in the vicinity of West Des Moines.

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.