Solar PV Analysis of Babylon, United States
Babylon, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power generation varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.15 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.69 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 3.69 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.20 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Babylon. This pattern is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where daylight hours and sun angle change significantly throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Babylon, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental Considerations
While Babylon's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Coastal location may expose panels to salt air, potentially accelerating corrosion
To mitigate these issues, installers should consider using corrosion-resistant materials and implementing a regular cleaning schedule, especially after snowfall. Additionally, slightly steeper panel angles can help with snow shedding.
Despite these challenges, Babylon's location remains suitable for solar PV installations, with ample sunlight throughout most of the year to generate significant clean energy.
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 Babylon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.6973, Longitude: -73.3271 (Babylon, 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 Babylon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Babylon, United States (Lat/Long 40.6973, -73.3271) 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 Babylon, 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 Babylon, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 33° 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 Babylon, 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 Babylon, 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 Babylon, United States
The area around Babylon, New York, located on Long Island, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of coastal regions. The topography is mostly low-lying, with gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes. This area is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which extends along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
The landscape surrounding Babylon consists of a mix of suburban developments, open spaces, and coastal features. To the north, the land gradually rises towards the center of Long Island, forming what's known as the Long Island spine or terminal moraine. This slight increase in elevation is barely noticeable in most places. To the south, the terrain transitions into coastal wetlands, marshes, and barrier islands that separate the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean.
Regarding large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the areas most suited for such projects would likely be found to the north and east of Babylon. These regions tend to have more open, undeveloped land that could potentially accommodate expansive solar arrays. The central and eastern parts of Long Island, particularly in Suffolk County, have larger tracts of agricultural land and less densely populated areas that might be suitable for solar farms.
However, it's important to note that Long Island's high population density and limited available land present challenges for large-scale solar projects. Many of the best locations may already be in use for agriculture or protected as natural habitats. Additionally, local zoning laws and regulations would need to be considered when identifying potential sites for solar PV installations.
Smaller-scale solar projects, such as rooftop installations on commercial buildings or community solar gardens, might be more feasible in the immediate vicinity of Babylon due to the suburban nature of the area. These types of projects could take advantage of existing structures and require less open land than utility-scale solar farms.
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: Monday 19th 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.
