Solar PV Analysis of Andover, United States
Andover, Massachusetts, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into its potential for harnessing solar energy.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.75 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.42 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.
Autumn sees a significant drop in output, with 3.35 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.01 kWh/day. Despite the reduced output, solar panels continue to generate electricity year-round, albeit at varying levels of efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Andover, the ideal tilt angle is 37 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total year-round production, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Andover's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: New England winters can bring significant snowfall, potentially covering panels and reducing efficiency.
- Tree cover: The region's abundant vegetation may cast shadows on panels, especially in residential areas.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures during solar installation:
Install panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Regularly clear snow from panels during winter months. Conduct a thorough site assessment to identify and minimize potential shading from trees or nearby structures. Consider using microinverters or power optimizers to reduce the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
By implementing these strategies, Andover residents can maximize their solar energy production throughout the year, taking full advantage of the location's solar potential despite seasonal variations and environmental factors.
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 Andover
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.6508, Longitude: -71.1607 (Andover, 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 37° South in Andover, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Andover, United States (Lat/Long 42.6508, -71.1607) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Andover, 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 Andover, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 36° 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 Andover, 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 Andover, 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 Andover, United States
The topography around Andover, Massachusetts (located at 42.6508°N, 71.1607°W) is characterized by gently rolling hills and low-lying areas typical of the New England region. The landscape is a mix of suburban development, woodlands, and open spaces, with elevations generally ranging from about 30 to 100 meters (100 to 330 feet) above sea level.
The area is part of the Merrimack River Valley, with the Merrimack River flowing to the north of Andover. The terrain is dotted with numerous small ponds, wetlands, and streams, which are remnants of glacial activity from thousands of years ago. These water features contribute to the area's varied topography, creating both flat, low-lying areas and gentle slopes.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the more open, less developed spaces surrounding Andover. Ideal locations would have the following characteristics:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping land to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure
- Open fields or cleared areas with minimal tree cover to reduce shading
- Areas away from wetlands or flood-prone zones to ensure the stability of the installation
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection
Some potential areas that might meet these criteria include:
- Former agricultural lands or pastures in the outskirts of Andover and neighboring towns
- Cleared areas near industrial zones or business parks
- Reclaimed landfills or brownfield sites that have been remediated
- Large, open institutional properties, such as schools or municipal facilities with unused land
It's important to note that while the topography around Andover is generally suitable for solar PV, the specific suitability of any site would require detailed assessment, including environmental impact studies, zoning considerations, and grid connection feasibility. Additionally, the region's climate, with its snowy winters and variable weather patterns, would need to be factored into the design and maintenance plans for any large-scale solar installation.
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: Friday 23rd 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.
