Burlington, Kentucky, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 39.0276, -84.7241, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Burlington, with an impressive daily output of 6.20 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.47 kWh/day. These seasons provide ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.

Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, with 3.71 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with production dropping to just 2.11 kWh/day per kW installed. This significant seasonal variation highlights the importance of proper system sizing to ensure adequate energy supply year-round.

Optimal Panel Orientation

For fixed panel installations in Burlington, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This orientation helps balance energy generation across seasons, capturing more sunlight during lower-sun winter months while still performing well in summer.

Environmental Considerations

Burlington's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The area experiences occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which could potentially damage solar installations. Additionally, snowfall in winter may temporarily reduce panel efficiency.

To mitigate these risks, solar installations should incorporate robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Panels with anti-reflective and self-cleaning properties can help maintain efficiency in snowy conditions. Regular maintenance and prompt snow removal can also ensure optimal performance year-round.

Conclusion

While Burlington's location is not ideal for year-round solar production due to significant seasonal variations, it still offers good potential, especially during spring and summer. With proper system design, orientation, and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable and effective energy solution in this area.

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 Burlington, Kentucky

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.0276, Longitude: -84.7241 (Burlington, Kentucky, 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 Burlington, Kentucky, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burlington, Kentucky, United States (Lat/Long 39.0276, -84.7241) 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 Burlington, Kentucky, 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 Burlington, Kentucky, 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 Burlington, Kentucky, 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 Burlington, Kentucky, 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 Burlington, Kentucky, United States

Burlington, United States, located at 39.0276 latitude and -84.7241 longitude, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys. The topography of the area is typical of the Interior Low Plateaus physiographic region, which covers much of Kentucky and parts of neighboring states. The landscape around Burlington features a mix of low-lying areas and gentle slopes, with elevations generally ranging from about 500 to 900 feet above sea level. The terrain is dissected by numerous small streams and creeks, which have carved shallow valleys over time. This creates a patchwork of ridges and hollows throughout the area, giving it a pleasantly varied appearance.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Burlington, several factors come into play. Ideal sites would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstacles. The areas to the south and southwest of Burlington offer promising potential for solar PV development. These regions tend to have more open, agricultural land with fewer trees and structures that could obstruct sunlight. The gently rolling terrain in these directions provides opportunities for solar arrays to be positioned at optimal angles to capture sunlight throughout the day. Additionally, some of the higher elevation areas on ridgetops and plateaus surrounding Burlington could be suitable for solar installations. These locations often have good sun exposure and are less likely to be affected by morning and evening shading from nearby hills. It's important to note that while the topography around Burlington is generally favorable for solar PV, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale solar projects in the area.

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.