Solar PV Analysis of Bridgewater, United States
Bridgewater, Massachusetts is a fairly decent location for generating solar power all year round. The amount of electricity you can get from a solar panel depends on the season. In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate about 6.07 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This decreases to around 3.62 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to about 2.11 kWh/day in winter due to shorter days and less sunlight exposure during these seasons.
However, production picks up again in spring with approximately 5.76 kWh/day generated per kW of installed solar panels due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight as we move towards summer.
To maximize your yearly energy production from solar panels at this location, it's best if they are tilted at an angle of 37 degrees facing southwards; this position catches the most sunlight over the course of a year.
As for environmental or weather factors that could affect your solar power generation: Bridgewater does experience some snowfall during winter months which could potentially cover your panels and reduce their output until cleared off - so be prepared for occasional maintenance during snowy periods! Also, frequent cloudy or rainy days may limit how much sun reaches your panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these issues when installing solar panels:
1) Consider using snow guards or similar devices that prevent snow accumulation on the panel surface.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your system especially after heavy snowfall or storms.
3) You might also want to consider using microinverters instead of central inverters; these allow each panel to operate independently so even if one is shaded or covered by debris, others will still function optimally.
4) Lastly, ensure professional installation by experienced technicians who would know how best to position the system taking into account local weather conditions and potential shading issues from nearby trees/buildings etc., thus ensuring maximum energy production throughout 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 Bridgewater
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.977, Longitude: -70.971 (Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bridgewater, United States (Lat/Long 41.977, -70.971) 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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, 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 | 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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, United States
Bridgewater is located in the state of Massachusetts, United States. The topography around Bridgewater is mostly flat to gently rolling with some areas of hilly terrain. It's a mix of urban and rural landscapes with forests, rivers, and ponds.
For largescale solar PV installations, open and flat or gently sloping lands are most suitable as they allow for easy installation and maximum sunlight exposure. In the vicinity of Bridgewater, large open fields or cleared land would be ideal for such projects.
Also consider that south-facing slopes are generally best for solar power in the Northern Hemisphere because they receive the most sunlight throughout the day. Areas clear from tall trees or buildings that could cast shadows on the panels would also be beneficial.
However, it's important to note that environmental impact assessments should be carried out before installing large scale solar PV systems to ensure minimal disruption to local ecosystems.
Lastly, proximity to existing power grids would also need consideration unless planning an off-grid system. This allows generated power to be easily distributed without needing extensive infrastructure development.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 24th of April 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.
