Solar PV Analysis of Elizabeth, Colorado, United States
Elizabeth, Colorado, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output varies significantly, with peak production occurring during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.55 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.76 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output at 4.78 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.23 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter output highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy production in Elizabeth. Despite the winter dip, the location still maintains a respectable year-round average, making it a viable option for solar PV installations.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Elizabeth, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 35-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Elizabeth's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps with snow shedding, and occasional manual clearing may be necessary.
- Dust and pollen can accumulate on panels, particularly during dry periods. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
To address these factors, consider using snow-shedding panel frames and implementing a routine cleaning schedule. Additionally, choosing high-quality, weather-resistant panels can enhance long-term performance and durability in Elizabeth's varied climate conditions.
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 Elizabeth, Colorado
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.3758, Longitude: -104.6 (Elizabeth, Colorado, 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 35° South in Elizabeth, Colorado, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Elizabeth, Colorado, United States (Lat/Long 39.3758, -104.6) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Elizabeth, Colorado, 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 Elizabeth, Colorado, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° 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 | 44° 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 Elizabeth, Colorado, 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 Elizabeth, Colorado, 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 Elizabeth, Colorado, United States
The area around Elizabeth, Colorado (located at 39.3758° N, 104.6° W) is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and flat plains typical of the eastern Colorado landscape. This region sits at the transition between the Great Plains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, resulting in a varied topography.
The terrain generally slopes upward from east to west, with elevations ranging from about 5,500 to 6,500 feet above sea level. The area features numerous small creeks and drainage channels that have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time. These waterways are often lined with cottonwood trees and other riparian vegetation, creating green corridors through the otherwise semi-arid environment.
The land surrounding Elizabeth is predominantly open grassland and prairie, interspersed with patches of ponderosa pine and scrub oak. This mix of open spaces and scattered vegetation gives the area a rural, expansive feel. To the west, the terrain becomes more rugged as it approaches the Rocky Mountain foothills, while to the east, it gradually flattens out into the vast expanse of the High Plains.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Elizabeth would be the flatter, open spaces to the east and southeast of the town. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
1. Topography: The relatively flat terrain in these directions provides large, continuous areas that are ideal for installing solar panels. Flat land reduces the need for extensive grading and simplifies the construction process.
2. Sun Exposure: The open nature of the landscape means there are fewer obstructions to block sunlight, maximizing the potential for solar energy generation throughout the day.
3. Land Availability: The less developed areas to the east and southeast likely have more available land that could be repurposed for solar farms without significant impact on existing infrastructure or communities.
4. Accessibility: These areas are generally accessible via existing roads, which is crucial for the construction and maintenance of solar installations.
5. Lower Environmental Impact: Using the more open, grassland areas for solar development would likely have less impact on sensitive ecosystems compared to areas closer to the foothills or riparian zones.
While these eastern and southeastern areas appear most suitable, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies, grid connection feasibility, and local zoning considerations.
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: Tuesday 27th of August 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.
