Solar PV Analysis of Woodlawn, United States
Woodlawn, Maryland is a decent but not ideal location for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can generate about 6.43 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This drops to around 3.77 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to about 2.26 kWh/day in winter before rising again to approximately 5.64 kWh/day in spring.
So, the best times of year for generating solar power at this location are during the sunnier months of spring and summer when there's more sunlight available for conversion into electricity by the panels.
To maximize total yearly production from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at this location, you should ideally tilt your panels towards south at an angle of approximately 34 degrees.
However, several factors could potentially hinder solar production in Woodlawn:
1) Weather: Maryland experiences all four seasons which means less sunlight during fall and winter months as well as potential snowfall covering panels reducing their efficiency.
2) Environmental Factors: Trees or buildings may obstruct direct sunlight reaching the panels.
3) Air Pollution: Dust particles or pollution might settle on the surface of the panels reducing their efficiency.
Preventative measures include:
1) Regular cleaning and maintenance to remove dust or snow.
2) Properly positioning your installation away from obstructions like trees or buildings.
3) Selecting high-quality PV modules with proven performance under real-world conditions
4) Installing a tracking system that follows the sun’s path across sky could also help optimize output especially if cost is not a major concern.
In conclusion, while Woodlawn has its challenges due to seasonality and other local factors affecting potential output; strategic planning, proper installation practices and regular maintenance can still make it possible to harness significant amounts of renewable energy through Solar PV Systems here throughout most of 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 Woodlawn
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.3327, Longitude: -76.7358 (Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Woodlawn, United States (Lat/Long 39.3327, -76.7358) 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 Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, 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 | 55° 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 Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, United States
Woodlawn, United States, located in the state of Maryland, is generally characterized by a hilly topography with some flat areas. The region consists of both urban and suburban landscapes.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are preferred as they require less groundwork and are easier for installation and maintenance. Considering this, open spaces such as fields or farmlands would be most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
The nearby regions like Baltimore County have relatively flat terrains that could potentially support such projects. Also, considering the high population density in these areas, converting unused land into solar farms could provide significant benefits.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV also depends on other factors beyond just topography - including sunlight hours (solar irradiance), local regulations regarding renewable energy projects, proximity to power grids for easy transmission etc.
Therefore a thorough feasibility study involving all these aspects would need to be conducted before deciding on specific locations for large scale solar PV 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
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.
