Portsmouth, Ohio, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 38.7317 and longitude -82.9977 provides varying levels of solar irradiance across different seasons.

Solar energy production in Portsmouth reaches its peak during the summer months, with an average daily output of 6.20 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high yield makes summer an ideal time for solar power generation in the area. Spring follows closely behind, with a daily average of 5.42 kWh/kW, offering excellent solar potential as well.

Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar energy production, with an average daily output of 3.79 kWh/kW. While this represents a significant drop from the summer months, it still provides a reasonable amount of energy. Winter, however, presents the greatest challenge for solar power generation in Portsmouth, with a daily average of only 1.98 kWh/kW.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Portsmouth, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the changing position of the sun across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Portsmouth's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel output
• Cloud cover, particularly common during winter and early spring, may decrease solar irradiance

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal when necessary, can help ensure optimal performance year-round.

In conclusion, while Portsmouth experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy potential, proper panel installation and maintenance can help maximize energy production throughout the year. The location is particularly well-suited for solar power generation during spring and summer months, with more limited but still viable potential during autumn and winter.

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 Portsmouth, Ohio

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7317, Longitude: -82.9977 (Portsmouth, Ohio, 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 33° South in Portsmouth, Ohio, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Portsmouth, Ohio, United States (Lat/Long 38.7317, -82.9977) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Portsmouth, Ohio, 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 Portsmouth, Ohio, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° 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 Portsmouth, Ohio, 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 Portsmouth, Ohio, 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 Portsmouth, Ohio, United States

The topography around Portsmouth, United States, located at latitude 38.7317 and longitude -82.9977, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both flat areas and rolling hills. Portsmouth itself is situated along the northern bank of the Ohio River, where the terrain is relatively flat and low-lying. This area is part of the Ohio River Valley, which features broad floodplains and terraces formed by the river over thousands of years. As you move away from the river, the landscape gradually transitions into more hilly terrain. The surrounding region is part of the Appalachian Plateau, which is known for its dissected plateau topography. This means that while the area was once a flat plateau, over time, erosion has carved out numerous valleys and ridges, creating a complex network of hills and streams. To the north and east of Portsmouth, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged, with steeper hills and deeper valleys. These areas are part of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and they feature a mix of forested slopes and narrow valleys. The hills in this region typically range from 600 to 1,000 feet in elevation above sea level.

Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from surrounding hills or forests. The floodplains and terraces along the Ohio River, particularly to the west and northwest of Portsmouth, offer some of the best potential for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas are generally flat, which makes construction and maintenance easier, and they typically have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. Some of the more gently rolling hills to the north and northeast of Portsmouth could also be suitable for solar PV installations. While these areas may require some grading and careful placement of panels to maximize sun exposure, they often have the advantage of being less prone to flooding compared to the river valley. It's important to note that while the hilly areas further inland may have some suitable sites, they generally present more challenges for large-scale solar projects due to the increased complexity of construction on uneven terrain and potential shading issues from neighboring hills. Any potential solar PV site would need to be carefully evaluated for factors such as soil stability, drainage, and proximity to existing power infrastructure. Additionally, environmental impact assessments would be necessary to ensure that the development of solar farms does not negatively affect local ecosystems or wildlife habitats.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.