Solar PV Analysis of Glendale, Arizona, United States
Glendale, Arizona is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's in the Northern Sub Tropics, which means it gets a lot of sunshine. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies by season:
- Summer: 7.87 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day
- Autumn: 5.42 kWh/day
- Winter: 4.09 kWh/day
- Spring: 7.98 kWh/day
So, the best times to generate solar power in Glendale are during summer and spring when there's more sunlight.
If you're setting up fixed panels here, tilt them at an angle of 30 degrees towards the south to get the most energy throughout the year.
As far as potential issues go, Glendale does experience some extreme heat and occasional dust storms which could affect your solar panels' performance or lifespan if not properly managed. High temperatures can make your panels less efficient while dust and debris might block sunlight from reaching them.
To prevent these problems:
1) Make sure your installation includes good cooling systems to help manage high temperatures.
2) Regularly clean off any dust or debris that gathers on your panels so they can effectively absorb sunlight.
3) Consider using durable materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Remember though - while these factors may slightly reduce efficiency at times, overall Glendale still offers great potential for producing significant amounts of solar energy due to its sunny climate!
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Glendale, Arizona
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.6563, Longitude: -112.1706 (Glendale, Arizona, 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 30° South in Glendale, Arizona, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Glendale, Arizona, United States (Lat/Long 33.6563, -112.1706) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Glendale, Arizona, 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 Glendale, Arizona, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 39° South in Autumn | 48° South in Winter | 26° 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 Glendale, Arizona, 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 Glendale, Arizona, 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 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Glendale, Arizona, located at the given coordinates, is situated in the central part of the state. The topography around Glendale is relatively flat with some slight undulations due to its location in the Sonoran Desert. To the north and east are more mountainous regions such as Cave Creek and Carefree which have higher elevation changes.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, these would be best suited for areas that are flat or gently sloping with abundant sunshine throughout the year. Given these criteria, locations south and west of Glendale like Goodyear or Buckeye would be ideal places for large scale solar farms due to their vast expanses of flat desert land.
However, it's important to note that while a region's physical geography plays a role in deciding where to install solar panels, other factors such as local climate (amount of sun), proximity to power grids or infrastructure needed for transmission and distribution of electricity produced by these panels also need consideration. Additionally environmental impact assessments must be taken into account before developing any largescale renewable energy projects.
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: Friday 12th of July 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.
