Belfast, Maine in the United States offers variable potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production.

The solar output at this location varies considerably across seasons. Summer is the most productive period, generating approximately 5.76 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.36 kWh/day per kW. Production drops substantially in autumn to 3.13 kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.95 kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Belfast, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 39 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy harvest considering the location's position in the Northern Hemisphere.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors may impede solar production at this location. Belfast experiences significant snowfall during winter months, which can cover panels and drastically reduce output during the already low-production winter season. The area also faces approximately 15-20 overcast days per month during winter, further limiting solar potential.

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented. Installing panels at the recommended 39-degree tilt helps shed snow more effectively than flatter installations. Snow removal systems or regular manual clearing may be necessary during winter months. Additionally, micro-inverters or power optimizers can help minimize production losses when portions of the array are shaded or covered.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (nearly three times more energy in summer) suggests that this location would benefit from either oversizing the solar array to meet winter needs or implementing seasonal energy storage solutions to balance the seasonal variability.

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 Belfast

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.4353, Longitude: -69.0111 (Belfast, 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 39° South in Belfast, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Belfast, United States (Lat/Long 44.4353, -69.0111) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Belfast, 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 Belfast, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
28° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	59° South in Winter	37° 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 Belfast, 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 Belfast, 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 Belfast, United States

Belfast, Maine is situated within the coastal region of Waldo County, nestled along the western shore of Penobscot Bay. The topography around Belfast is characterized by gently rolling hills that gradually rise from the coastal lowlands, creating a varied landscape that offers both flat areas and modest elevations. The immediate coastal area features a relatively flat terrain that transitions into more undulating hills as one moves inland. Belfast itself sits at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River, which flows into Penobscot Bay. This river valley creates a natural depression in the landscape, with surrounding areas rising to form low hills and ridges.

Elevation Profile

The elevation in the Belfast area ranges from sea level along the coast to approximately 300-400 feet (90-120 meters) in the surrounding hills. This moderate relief creates a landscape that is neither mountainous nor completely flat, but rather pleasantly varied with numerous small hills, valleys, and plateaus. To the west of Belfast, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly, with elevations gradually rising as one moves farther inland. These hills are generally modest in height but provide some topographic diversity to the region. The landscape has been shaped by glacial activity from the last ice age, resulting in drumlins, eskers, and other glacial features that contribute to the rolling nature of the terrain.

Potential Solar PV Sites

When considering areas near Belfast for large-scale solar PV development, several factors related to topography become important. The most suitable locations would generally include: The inland plateaus and gently sloping hills west and southwest of Belfast offer promising locations for solar installations. These areas provide relatively flat or modestly sloping terrain that would minimize grading requirements while still allowing for optimal panel orientation. Particularly favorable are south-facing slopes with gradients between 5-15 degrees, which naturally enhance solar exposure. Former agricultural lands around Belfast, especially in the slightly elevated areas away from the immediate coastline, present good opportunities for solar development. These areas often feature cleared land with minimal shading from forests, reducing the need for extensive site preparation. The areas along Route 3 corridor west of Belfast contain several elevated plateaus with favorable topography for solar installations. These locations combine accessible terrain with good drainage characteristics, which is important for maintaining the structural integrity of solar arrays over time. Areas to avoid would include the immediate coastal zones, which are subject to fog and marine weather effects, as well as the steeper hillsides and north-facing slopes that would receive reduced solar radiation. Additionally, the low-lying areas along the Passagassawakeag River and its tributaries should be avoided due to potential flooding concerns and higher humidity levels. The rolling topography around Belfast presents both challenges and opportunities for solar development. While the varied terrain may require some careful site selection, it also provides numerous locations with favorable southern exposures that could maximize solar energy capture throughout the year.

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!

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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.