Braintree, Massachusetts, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. With coordinates of 42.2125° N latitude and -70.9961° W longitude, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Braintree, with an average daily output of 5.87 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.51 kWh/day. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, dropping to 3.36 kWh/day. This reduction is primarily due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky. Winter presents the most challenging conditions for solar energy production in Braintree, with output falling to just 1.91 kWh/day. The combination of shorter days, lower sun angles, and potential snow cover contributes to this significant decrease in energy generation.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Braintree, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Braintree: 1. Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or installing panels at a steeper angle can help mitigate this issue. 2. New England's variable weather patterns, including frequent cloud cover, can affect solar output. Using high-efficiency panels and microinverters can help optimize production even in less-than-ideal conditions. 3. Potential shading from deciduous trees may impact production, especially in spring and fall. Careful site assessment and strategic panel placement can minimize this issue.

Conclusion

While Braintree's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, it still offers substantial potential for solar PV systems. With proper installation techniques and equipment choices, residents can take advantage of the strong summer and spring production to offset the lower output during autumn and winter months.

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 Braintree

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.2125, Longitude: -70.9961 (Braintree, 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 36° South in Braintree, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Braintree, United States (Lat/Long 42.2125, -70.9961) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Braintree, 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 Braintree, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° 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	46° South in Autumn	57° South in Winter	35° 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 Braintree, 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 Braintree, 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 Braintree, United States

The topography around Braintree, Massachusetts, located at latitude 42.2125 and longitude -70.9961, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and relatively flat areas. This coastal community sits on the eastern edge of the Norfolk County, just south of Boston. The terrain gradually slopes downward from west to east, with elevations ranging from about 200 feet above sea level in the western parts to near sea level along the eastern border. Braintree's landscape is dotted with small ponds, streams, and wetlands, which contribute to its diverse topography. The Blue Hills Reservation, a large state park, lies to the west and northwest of Braintree, featuring more rugged terrain with hills reaching up to 635 feet at its highest point, Great Blue Hill.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat, open spaces with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The areas to the south and southwest of Braintree, including parts of Randolph and Holbrook, offer some potential for solar development. These regions have more open spaces and slightly higher elevations, which could provide better solar exposure. However, it's important to note that much of this area is already developed or protected as conservation land. Another potential area for solar PV development might be found in the more rural parts of nearby towns like Weymouth or Hingham to the southeast. These areas have some larger tracts of open land that could potentially accommodate solar installations. It's worth noting that the densely populated nature of the greater Boston area presents challenges for finding suitable large-scale solar sites. Many of the best locations may already be in use for other purposes or protected as green spaces. As a result, smaller-scale installations on rooftops or in parking lots might be more feasible in this region than large solar farms. Any potential solar development would need to carefully consider local zoning laws, environmental regulations, and the impact on nearby communities. The proximity to the coast also means that potential sites would need to be evaluated for flood risks and potential sea-level rise impacts in the long term.

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.