Solar PV Analysis of Lexington, Virginia, United States
Lexington, Virginia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and reduced output in winter.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panels in Lexington can expect to produce an average of 6.71 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity during summer. This drops to 4.22 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to 2.55 kWh/day in winter. Spring sees a recovery, with production rising to 5.81 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Lexington experiences a considerable seasonal variation in solar energy potential.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Lexington, 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, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.
Best Times for Solar Generation
The most productive period for solar energy in Lexington is from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer days and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar output. Summer solstice, typically around June 21, marks the peak of solar potential in this region.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Lexington's climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some factors that could impact production:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional cloudy or overcast days, particularly in winter, may decrease output
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off, and use high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance year-round.
Overall, while Lexington may not be ideal for solar energy production compared to sunnier locations, it still offers a viable opportunity for renewable energy generation, especially during the warmer months of 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 Lexington, Virginia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.7886, Longitude: -79.4548 (Lexington, 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 33° South in Lexington, Virginia, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lexington, Virginia, United States (Lat/Long 37.7886, -79.4548) 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, Virginia, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, Virginia, United States
The area around Lexington, Virginia, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography typical of the Shenandoah Valley region. This part of Virginia lies within the Appalachian Mountain range, offering a mix of rolling hills, valleys, and more rugged terrain.
The immediate vicinity of Lexington features gently undulating landscapes with some steeper hillsides. The city itself sits in a relatively flat area, but as you move outward, the terrain becomes more varied. To the east and west, you'll find more pronounced hills and ridges, which are part of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, respectively.
Rivers and streams are also significant features of the local topography. The Maury River flows through Lexington, carving out valleys and creating scenic vistas. This waterway, along with its tributaries, has shaped much of the surrounding landscape over time.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure. Given the topography around Lexington, the most suitable areas would likely be found in the broader valley regions, away from the steeper mountain slopes.
The open agricultural lands to the north and south of Lexington, where the valley widens, could potentially offer good sites for solar installations. These areas often have large, unobstructed fields that receive ample sunlight throughout the day. However, it's important to note that the region's rolling hills can create some challenges, as they may cast shadows during certain parts of the day, potentially reducing solar efficiency.
Another consideration is the orientation of the land. South-facing slopes, even if gentle, can be particularly advantageous for solar panels as they naturally maximize sun exposure in the Northern Hemisphere. Some of the hillsides around Lexington with a southern aspect might be suitable, provided they're not too steep.
While the immediate mountainous areas to the east and west are likely too rugged for large-scale solar farms, some of the wider valleys or plateaus within these ranges could potentially accommodate solar installations, if accessible.
It's worth noting that any large-scale solar project would need to balance these topographical considerations with other factors such as proximity to power infrastructure, local zoning laws, and environmental impact assessments. The scenic nature of the Shenandoah Valley region also means that visual impact would be an important consideration in planning any major solar installations.
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: Saturday 31st 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.
