Solar PV Analysis of Leesburg, Virginia, United States
Leesburg, Virginia is a decent location for solar energy production, although it's not the most ideal. This is because the amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels varies across different seasons.
In simple terms, a kilowatt (kW) of installed solar in Leesburg can produce an average of 6.31 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day in summer, 5.51 kWh/day in spring, 3.70 kWh/day in autumn and only 2.27 kWh/day in winter.
This means that you'll get the most energy from your solar panels during the summer and spring months when there's more sunlight available each day than during autumn and especially winter when daylight hours are shorter.
If you're planning on installing solar panels here, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing south to get maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the year.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can generate with your panels such as weather or environmental conditions like cloud cover or shading by trees or buildings which could block sunlight reaching your panels reducing their output.
Also keep in mind that heavy snowfall during winter might cover your solar panels blocking out sun completely until cleared off - so if this happens often where you live then having a plan for clearing snow off them quickly will help ensure they're able to produce as much power as possible even during these colder months.
And finally remember while these figures give us an idea about what to expect they aren't guaranteed - actual outputs can vary based on many factors including quality of installation and type/brand of equipment used among others things so always do thorough research before committing to any specific solution!
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 Leesburg, Virginia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.0448, Longitude: -77.6042 (Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, Virginia, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Leesburg, Virginia, United States (Lat/Long 39.0448, -77.6042) 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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° 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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, Virginia, United States
Leesburg, United States is located in the state of Virginia. The topography around Leesburg is generally flat to gently rolling hills, with some areas of steeper terrain due to its location near the Catoctin Mountain and Blue Ridge Mountains.
The region has a mix of urbanized areas, farmland, and forested land. It's part of the Piedmont Plateau that extends from New York to Georgia, featuring fertile soils that are well-suited for agriculture.
As for solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas would be most suited as they provide optimal conditions for mounting solar panels. Areas with high sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or buildings are also beneficial. Therefore, open farmlands or cleared lands around Leesburg could potentially be suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that while topographical suitability is one factor in determining good sites for solar energy production; factors like local climate (including average sunlight hours), proximity to power grids or infrastructure (for energy transmission), regulatory policies and social acceptance also play significant roles in deciding where such projects can be implemented successfully.
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 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.
