Solar PV Analysis of Smithfield, Pennsylvania, United States
Smithfield, Pennsylvania, is a decent place for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can get from your solar panels varies with the seasons. You'll get the most power in summer, about 6.26 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. This decreases to around 3.62 kWh/day in autumn and drops further to just under two kWh/day in winter before increasing again to over five kWh/day in spring.
Even though there's less sunlight during autumn and winter, it doesn't mean that your solar panels won't work at all during these times - they will still generate some electricity even if it's not as much as during sunnier periods.
If you're installing fixed panel solar PVs here, tilting them at an angle of 34 degrees towards south would give you the best overall performance across all four seasons.
As far as local factors go that might affect how well your solar panels work, Smithfield does experience considerable cloud cover and precipitation which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels especially during fall and winter months when cloud cover is highest. Additionally, snowfall could potentially cover up your panels reducing their effectiveness temporarily until cleared off.
To counteract these issues and maximize energy production:
- Regular cleaning/maintenance: Keeping your solar panel surface clean can help ensure they are working efficiently.
- Snow removal: Have a plan for removing snow from the top of your system after heavy snowfalls.
- Consideration for placement: If possible try to install them where they are least likely to be shaded by trees or other structures.
Remember though that while these measures can help improve efficiency somewhat, weather conditions like cloudiness or lack of sunshine due to seasonal changes are beyond our control but don’t completely halt production; rather just decrease it temporarily till conditions improve again!
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 Smithfield, Pennsylvania
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.7949, Longitude: -79.8058 (Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, Pennsylvania, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, United States (Lat/Long 39.7949, -79.8058) 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 Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° 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 Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, Pennsylvania, 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 Smithfield, Pennsylvania, United States
The location provided is for Smithfield, Pennsylvania, which is in the northeastern part of United States. The topography around this area is quite varied with a mix of rolling hills and flat terrains. It's located within the Appalachian region which is characterized by its ridges, valleys and plateaus.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping lands are generally preferred as they require less groundwork preparation and can accommodate more panels per unit area. Therefore, any open fields or plains in the vicinity would be most suited for such projects.
However, it's also important to consider other factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), land use regulations, proximity to power transmission lines etc., before deciding on a suitable location. A comprehensive site assessment would typically be conducted to evaluate these aspects.
In terms of specific areas nearby that might be suitable based on topography alone (not considering other factors), looking at a map suggests potential regions could include areas towards the west near Uniontown where terrain appears relatively flatter compared to other directions from Smithfield.
Again please note this doesn't necessarily mean these are optimal locations for solar farms - it just means they may have favorable topographical conditions. Other feasibility checks related to sun exposure hours, local regulations etc should still need to be performed.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 30th of April 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.
