Solar PV Analysis of Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Alexandria, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, is a decent location for year-round solar energy production. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels depends on the season. In summer and spring, you can expect to produce quite a lot of electricity (6.46 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.73 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of installed solar). However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly (to 4.01 and 2.47 kilowatt-hours per day respectively).
The best times to generate solar power at this location are obviously during spring and summer when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is more intense.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 34 degrees facing south will maximize total year-round production from your photovoltaic system.
There could be some local factors that might affect solar production here such as weather conditions or environmental issues like shade from trees or buildings blocking sunlight reaching your panels.
Weather-wise, Alexandria experiences all four seasons with winters being relatively mild but cloudy days could reduce the effectiveness of your panels by limiting their exposure to sunlight.
Environmental factors include shading from trees or buildings which can block direct sunlight needed for maximum efficiency. If any tall structures or large trees cast shadows over where you plan to install your panels then this would hinder their performance considerably.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Try positioning your installation so it receives unobstructed sun exposure throughout most part of the day.
2) Keep an eye on nearby vegetation; trim back branches that may grow into areas where they might cast shadows onto your panels.
3) Consider using advanced technology like tracking systems that allow your panels follow sun's path across sky maximizing their exposure time even on shorter daylight periods during winter months.
In conclusion: While Alexandria may not offer optimal conditions for solar power generation year-round, it's still a viable location with the right planning and setup.
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 Alexandria, Virginia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.8078, Longitude: -77.0523 (Alexandria, Virginia, 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 Alexandria, Virginia, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alexandria, Virginia, United States (Lat/Long 38.8078, -77.0523) 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 Alexandria, Virginia, 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 Alexandria, Virginia, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 54° 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 Alexandria, Virginia, 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 Alexandria, Virginia, 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 Alexandria, Virginia, United States
The location mentioned corresponds to Alexandria, Virginia, United States. The topography of this area is predominantly flat and urbanized with some gently rolling hills. It lies in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and has several rivers and creeks flowing through it.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, they require vast areas of open land that receive a substantial amount of sunlight throughout the year. In terms of nearby areas suitable for such an installation:
1. Rural Areas: There are rural regions towards the south and west of Alexandria where there could be potential space for large-scale solar farms.
2. Rooftops: Given the urban nature of Alexandria itself, rooftop solar installations would be most feasible within city limits.
3. Brownfields/Unused Land: Any unused or reclaimed land (like landfill sites or brownfields) can also serve as good locations for solar power plants if available.
4. Parking lots or Large Commercial Spaces: Installing solar panels over parking lots or on large commercial buildings could also be a possible option.
However, any decision should take into account factors like local regulations, availability/costs of land, proximity to power grids among other things before deciding on suitability for setting up a large scale Solar PV project.
Please note that this analysis is based purely on topographical considerations; actual feasibility would depend on many other factors including local climate conditions (average sunlight), legal restrictions/regulations etc., which haven't been taken into account here.
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: Tuesday 30th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
