Imperial, Pennsylvania, in the United States, offers moderate potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 40.4495, -80.2445, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation at this location follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer is the most productive season, with panels generating approximately 6.08kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding about 5.32kWh/day per kW. Autumn production drops to 3.40kWh/day per kW, while winter shows the lowest output at just 1.78kWh/day per kW.

This pattern means that a solar installation in Imperial will produce more than three times as much energy in summer compared to winter. Spring and summer together form an excellent production period spanning approximately half the year, when solar generation is at its peak.

Optimal Panel Installation

For a fixed panel installation in Imperial, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and weighted by the daily solar potential throughout the year, accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Imperial. Western Pennsylvania experiences frequent cloud cover and precipitation, with the region averaging over 150 cloudy days per year. Winter months bring snow accumulation that can temporarily cover panels and reduce output during an already low-production season.

The area also experiences moderate amounts of airborne particulates from industrial activities in the greater Pittsburgh region, which can gradually reduce panel efficiency through soiling.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Imperial should consider:

• Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt, which also helps shed snow more effectively
• Implementing a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust, pollen, and other debris
• Using microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Considering slightly oversizing the array to compensate for the low winter production

Despite these challenges, Imperial's location still provides sufficient solar resources to make photovoltaic systems viable, particularly during the spring and summer months when production is significantly higher.

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 3040 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.4495, Longitude: -80.2445 (Imperial, Pennsylvania, 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Imperial, Pennsylvania, United States (Lat/Long 40.4495, -80.2445) 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania, 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania, 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
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania, 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania, 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 Imperial, Pennsylvania, United States

The topography around Imperial, Pennsylvania, which is situated approximately 15 miles west of Pittsburgh, is characterized by the rolling hills and valleys typical of the Appalachian Plateau region. This area features moderately steep terrain with numerous ridges, valleys, and waterways that have been shaped by millions of years of erosion. The elevation in this region generally ranges between 900 and 1,300 feet above sea level, with local variations creating a patchwork of slopes and plateaus. Imperial itself sits in the western portion of Allegheny County, where the landscape is defined by the tributaries of the Ohio River system, including Raccoon Creek and its branches. These waterways have carved valleys into the sedimentary rock layers, creating a terrain that alternates between relatively flat hilltops and steep-sided valleys. The underlying geology consists primarily of sedimentary rocks including sandstone, shale, and limestone, which were deposited during the Pennsylvanian period approximately 300 million years ago.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development near Imperial, the most suitable areas would be the broader, flatter hilltops and plateaus that offer sufficient contiguous space for solar arrays. These areas typically have less tree cover and provide more consistent exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Specifically, reclaimed mine lands in Washington County to the south and Beaver County to the north represent potentially ideal locations for solar development, as these sites often feature large, cleared areas with minimal competing land uses. The gently sloping south-facing hillsides in the region also offer good potential for solar PV installation, as they receive more direct sunlight exposure throughout the year compared to north-facing slopes. However, developers would need to carefully evaluate the steepness of these slopes, as terrain that is too steep can significantly increase construction costs and complicate maintenance. Areas to avoid would include the steeper valley walls, floodplains along Raccoon Creek and other waterways, and locations with dense forest cover. The region's numerous stream valleys and wetland areas would present challenges for large-scale solar development due to environmental sensitivities and potential flooding concerns. It's worth noting that while the topography presents certain challenges for solar development in this region, modern solar mounting systems can be adapted to moderately sloping terrain. The industrial heritage of the area also means there are numerous brownfield sites and former industrial properties that could be repurposed for solar energy production, potentially offering flat, already-disturbed land with existing grid connections.

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.