Aberdeen, South Dakota presents a moderately challenging location for year-round solar energy generation, with significant seasonal variations that reflect its Northern Temperate Zone climate and latitude of 45.4636°N, 98.4829°W.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer months deliver the strongest performance at 6.97 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making this the prime season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.48 kWh per day per kW, offering solid energy production as daylight hours increase and weather improves. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.42 kWh per day per kW as the region transitions into shorter days and less favorable weather conditions. Winter presents the most challenging period, dropping to just 2.02 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, representing less than one-third of summer production levels.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Aberdeen, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting for the location's specific solar irradiance patterns.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant local factors can impede solar production in Aberdeen, South Dakota:

• Snow accumulation: Heavy winter snowfall can completely block solar panels, eliminating energy production until snow is removed or melts naturally
• Hail storms: The region experiences severe thunderstorms that can produce damaging hail, potentially cracking or shattering solar panel surfaces
• High winds: Strong prairie winds can damage improperly secured installations and blow debris onto panels
• Temperature extremes: Harsh winter temperatures can affect equipment performance and cause thermal stress on components
• Dust and agricultural debris: The rural agricultural setting can lead to dust, pollen, and crop residue accumulating on panel surfaces

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented:

• Reinforced mounting systems: Use heavy-duty racking designed for high wind and snow loads typical of the Great Plains region
• Impact-resistant panels: Install solar panels with tempered glass and frames rated for hail impact resistance
• Optimal tilt for snow shedding: The recommended 39-degree tilt angle helps facilitate natural snow removal while maximizing energy production
• Regular maintenance access: Design installations with safe access points for snow removal and cleaning during winter months
• Quality inverters and wiring: Use equipment rated for extreme temperature variations and properly protect all electrical components from moisture and temperature fluctuations

Despite these challenges, Aberdeen's excellent summer and spring solar production can make solar installations viable, particularly when proper preventative measures are implemented and realistic expectations are set for winter performance.

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 Aberdeen, South Dakota

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.4636, Longitude: -98.4829 (Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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 39° South in Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States (Lat/Long 45.4636, -98.4829) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
29° South in Summer	49° South in Autumn	59° South in Winter	38° 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States

Topography Around Aberdeen, South Dakota

Aberdeen sits in the heart of the northern Great Plains, positioned within a landscape characterized by gently rolling prairie terrain. The city is located in Brown County, South Dakota, where the topography consists primarily of glacial till plains that were shaped by ice age glaciers thousands of years ago. This geological history has created a relatively flat to gently undulating landscape with subtle elevation changes across the region.

The immediate area around Aberdeen features broad, open expanses of agricultural land with minimal natural obstacles. The terrain slopes very gradually, with most elevation changes occurring over considerable distances rather than steep inclines. Small depressions and shallow valleys dot the landscape, many of which contain seasonal wetlands or small lakes that are remnants of glacial activity. These prairie potholes, as they are commonly known, create a distinctive pattern across the region but do not significantly alter the overall flat character of the land.

The James River flows through the area, creating a shallow valley that runs roughly north to south. This river valley represents one of the more notable topographical features in the region, though even here the elevation changes remain modest. The surrounding countryside consists mainly of cultivated fields and pastureland, with scattered farmsteads and small groves of trees that were often planted as windbreaks.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topography around Aberdeen presents excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations due to the predominantly flat terrain and minimal shading obstacles. The most suitable areas for solar development would be the extensive flat to gently sloping agricultural lands that extend in all directions from the city. These areas offer the advantage of requiring minimal site preparation and grading, which can significantly reduce installation costs.

The areas south and west of Aberdeen appear particularly well-suited for solar development, as they feature some of the flattest terrain in the region with fewer wetlands and natural depressions. These locations would allow for efficient layout of solar arrays with optimal spacing and minimal topographical constraints. The gentle slopes that do exist could actually be beneficial for solar installations, as slight south-facing slopes can enhance panel performance by improving the angle of solar exposure.

Areas near existing electrical infrastructure would be especially advantageous for large-scale solar projects. The flat prairie landscape allows for relatively straightforward transmission line routing and grid connection. Agricultural lands that are currently used for crop production could potentially be converted or used for agrivoltaic applications, where solar panels and farming activities coexist on the same land.

The primary considerations for site selection would involve avoiding the numerous small wetlands scattered throughout the region, as these areas are typically protected and unsuitable for development. Additionally, areas with established tree groves or farmsteads would need to be avoided to prevent shading issues. The open nature of the prairie landscape means that wind exposure is significant, so solar installations would need to be engineered to withstand strong prairie winds, but the flat terrain makes this engineering challenge manageable and predictable.

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.