Youngstown, Ohio, United States, located at latitude 41.0996° and longitude -80.7523° in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal differences in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Youngstown produce their highest output during summer months, generating approximately 5.99 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.30 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 3.23 kWh/day, and winter sees the lowest output at just 1.69 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern clearly indicates that Youngstown's solar potential is heavily concentrated in the spring and summer months, with May through August likely being the peak production period. The substantial drop in winter production (less than one-third of summer values) suggests that supplementary energy sources would be advisable during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed-panel installations in Youngstown, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 35 degrees tilted toward the South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation patterns at this specific latitude, weighted according to the daily photovoltaic potential using NASA's solar irradiance data, while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant factors can impede solar production in Youngstown:

• Snowfall: The region experiences substantial winter snow, which can cover panels and dramatically reduce production during already low-yield months.
• Cloud cover: Youngstown averages 160+ cloudy days annually, particularly concentrated in winter months, further reducing the already limited winter production.
• Seasonal tree shading: Deciduous trees may provide varying amounts of shade throughout the year.
• Industrial particulate matter: As a historically industrial area, air quality issues could potentially reduce panel efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider implementing these solutions:

• Install panels at the recommended 35-degree tilt to optimize year-round production and help shed snow more effectively.
• Include snow removal systems or easy-access panel placement to facilitate manual clearing during winter months.
• Conduct thorough shade analysis before installation, accounting for seasonal variations in tree coverage.
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to address dust and particulate buildup, especially during drier summer months.
• Consider microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

With these considerations in mind, Youngstown can still be a viable location for solar PV installation, though expectations should be realistic regarding the significant seasonal variations in production.

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 Youngstown

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.0996, Longitude: -80.7523 (Youngstown, 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 35° South in Youngstown, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Youngstown, United States (Lat/Long 41.0996, -80.7523) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Youngstown, 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 Youngstown, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° 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	44° South in Autumn	55° 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 Youngstown, 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 Youngstown, 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 Youngstown, United States

Youngstown, Ohio is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills, part of the broader Allegheny Plateau which extends through much of the eastern United States. The topography around Youngstown features modest elevation changes, with the landscape gradually rising and falling rather than displaying dramatic peaks and valleys. The elevation generally ranges from approximately 800 to 1,100 feet above sea level throughout the area. The Mahoning River cuts through this terrain, creating a shallow valley that has historically been important for the region's industrial development. This river valley introduces some of the more significant elevation changes in the immediate vicinity of Youngstown, with steeper slopes found along its banks and tributary streams.

Surrounding Landscape

To the east of Youngstown, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly as it approaches the Pennsylvania border, with more pronounced ridges and valleys typical of the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Westward, the landscape gradually flattens as it transitions toward the Central Lowlands of Ohio. The region retains significant forest cover, particularly on steeper slopes and in areas less suitable for agriculture or development. Open spaces are often found on flatter upland areas, where farming has historically been practiced. The urban and suburban development of Youngstown and surrounding communities occupies much of the more level terrain, particularly along transportation corridors.

Potential Solar Development Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Youngstown would be found on relatively flat, open lands that receive minimal shading. Several types of locations in the region present promising opportunities: Former industrial sites and brownfields represent some of the most practical locations for solar development. The Youngstown area has numerous former steel mill sites and other industrial properties that offer large, flat expanses with existing grid connections. These locations typically have minimal ecological value in their current state, making them ideal for redevelopment as solar facilities. Agricultural lands on the flatter upland areas, particularly to the west and southwest of Youngstown, could potentially accommodate large solar arrays. These areas generally have good solar exposure with minimal natural obstructions. However, conversion of productive farmland would need to be carefully considered from an economic and food security perspective. Reclaimed strip mines in the broader region also present opportunities for solar development. These sites typically offer large, contiguous land areas with minimal competing land uses. The gently sloping terrain of many reclaimed mines can be suitable for solar panel installation, though site-specific evaluation would be necessary to address potential challenges related to soil stability and drainage. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes along the Mahoning River valley and its tributaries, densely forested regions, and wetland areas. These locations would present installation challenges, higher development costs, and potentially greater environmental impacts. The ideal solar PV sites would also need appropriate proximity to existing electrical infrastructure to facilitate grid connection, as well as reasonable access for construction and maintenance vehicles. Given the industrial history of the region, there are several areas where these conditions align favorably for solar development, particularly in the repurposing of former industrial properties.

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.