Solar Energy Potential in Washington, Utah

Washington, Utah, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 37.1325, -113.5041, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city experiences varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons, with notable peaks and troughs in energy output. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive average daily output of 7.89 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high yield is due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight during the summer months. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.41 kWh per day, making it another excellent period for solar energy production. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in solar output, with 5.07 kWh generated daily per kW installed. While less productive than summer and spring, it still offers significant energy generation potential. Winter, as expected, presents the lowest output at 3.28 kWh per day. However, this is still a respectable amount of energy production, especially considering the shorter days and lower sun angle during this season.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Washington, Utah, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Washington, Utah, generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and sand: The arid climate of southern Utah can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue. 2. High temperatures: Summer temperatures in Washington can be quite high, which may slightly decrease solar panel efficiency. Choosing heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help address this concern. 3. Occasional winter snowfall: Although infrequent, snow accumulation on panels can temporarily reduce output. Installing panels at the optimal tilt angle helps snow slide off more easily, minimizing this impact. By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Washington, Utah, can achieve optimal performance and take full advantage of the area's abundant sunshine throughout the year.

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 Washington, Utah

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.1325, Longitude: -113.5041 (Washington, Utah, 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 32° South in Washington, Utah, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Washington, Utah, United States (Lat/Long 37.1325, -113.5041) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Washington, Utah, 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 Washington, Utah, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
21° South in Summer	42° South in Autumn	52° South in Winter	29° 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 Washington, Utah, 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 Washington, Utah, 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 Washington, Utah, United States

The topography around Washington, Utah, located at 37.1325 degrees north latitude and 113.5041 degrees west longitude, is characterized by a diverse and dramatic landscape. This area is situated in the northeastern part of the Mojave Desert, where it transitions into the Colorado Plateau. The region features a mix of rugged terrain, including red rock formations, mesas, canyons, and desert valleys. Washington itself is nestled in a valley surrounded by striking red sandstone cliffs and volcanic ridges. To the north, the Pine Valley Mountains rise dramatically, providing a scenic backdrop to the area. The nearby Virgin River has carved deep canyons and gorges through the landscape, creating impressive geological features such as those found in Zion National Park, which is located just to the east of Washington. The terrain in and around Washington is generally arid and rocky, with sparse vegetation typical of desert environments. The elevation of the area varies significantly, from around 2,700 feet in the city itself to over 10,000 feet in the nearby mountains. This variation in elevation creates distinct microclimates and ecosystems within a relatively small area.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Washington that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample sunlight, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental impact. The desert areas to the west and southwest of Washington offer promising potential for solar PV development. These regions typically have vast expanses of open, flat land with minimal vegetation and few competing land uses. The abundance of sunlight in this desert climate makes it particularly attractive for solar energy production. Areas around the nearby communities of St. George and Hurricane also present opportunities for solar PV installations. These locations benefit from the same sunny climate and have some flat or gently sloping terrain that could accommodate large solar arrays. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly on fragile desert ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Additionally, proximity to existing power infrastructure and transmission lines would be a crucial factor in determining the most suitable locations for solar PV projects in this region.

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.