Buxton, Maine, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at latitude 43.6401 and longitude -70.5213, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar electricity production, with the highest output occurring during summer months.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Buxton generate their maximum electricity during summer, producing approximately 5.76 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.32 kWh/day per kW installed. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 3.24 kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.90 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity.

This pattern clearly indicates that Buxton's solar potential peaks during the warmer months of late spring through early fall, with a significant drop during the winter season. Homeowners and businesses considering solar installations should account for these seasonal variations when planning system size to meet year-round energy needs.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Buxton, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 38 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing the daily solar elevation angles at this specific latitude, weighted by the solar irradiance potential throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant factors could impede solar production in Buxton:

• Snow accumulation during Maine's winters can temporarily reduce or eliminate production if panels become covered
• Frequent cloud cover, particularly during winter months
• Tree coverage and shading issues common in Maine's forested regions
• Potential for ice buildup during winter storms

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider implementing these strategies:

• Install panels at the recommended 38-degree angle to promote natural snow sliding
• Ensure panels are mounted high enough to avoid snow drifts
• Consider periodic manual snow removal when necessary
• Conduct thorough shade analysis before installation to minimize tree shading
• Use microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Select solar panels with anti-reflective coatings and high low-light performance specifications

With proper installation techniques addressing these local factors, a solar PV system in Buxton can still provide substantial energy production, particularly during the productive spring through fall seasons, while continuing to generate some electricity even during the less favorable 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 Buxton

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.6401, Longitude: -70.5213 (Buxton, 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 38° South in Buxton, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Buxton, United States (Lat/Long 43.6401, -70.5213) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Buxton, 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 Buxton, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
27° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	58° 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 Buxton, 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 Buxton, 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 Buxton, United States

The topography around Buxton, Maine presents a gentle yet varied landscape characteristic of southern Maine's inland areas. Situated in York County, approximately 20 miles west of Portland, Buxton occupies a transitional zone between coastal lowlands and the foothills of the White Mountains. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills with moderate elevation changes, typically ranging between 100 and 400 feet above sea level. The Saco River forms a significant natural feature as it winds through the eastern portion of Buxton, creating fertile floodplains and occasional steep embankments along its course. This river valley introduces some of the more dramatic topographical elements in an otherwise gently undulating landscape. Several smaller streams and brooks further dissect the terrain, creating small valleys throughout the area.

Forest Cover and Open Spaces

Mixed forests dominate much of the landscape around Buxton, with northern hardwoods and eastern white pine being particularly common. These wooded areas frequently alternate with cleared agricultural fields, creating a patchwork pattern typical of rural New England. The forest density varies, with some areas featuring dense woodland while others maintain more open canopies. Open spaces in the region include agricultural fields, meadows, and areas cleared for residential or commercial development. Historical land use patterns have created distinct zones where forests were cleared generations ago, resulting in relatively flat, open expanses that interrupt the otherwise forested landscape.

Potential for Solar Development

When considering areas near Buxton suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several factors related to topography become relevant. The most promising locations would be: Former agricultural lands with southern exposure represent prime candidates for solar development. These areas typically feature cleared, relatively flat terrain with minimal shading from surrounding forests. Several such locations exist in the western and northwestern portions of Buxton, particularly in areas where farming activities have diminished in recent decades. Gently sloping hillsides with southern or southeastern aspects also offer excellent potential for solar installations. These locations benefit from favorable sun angles throughout the day and seasons. The northern portions of Buxton contain several hills with ideal southern exposures that could accommodate substantial solar arrays while minimizing visual impact from populated areas. Areas with well-drained soils, typically found on slight elevations rather than in valley bottoms, would reduce construction challenges and maintenance issues. The glacial till soils common throughout much of the region provide reasonably good drainage on higher ground, making these locations technically advantageous for solar infrastructure. Locations with existing access to transmission infrastructure would minimize development costs. Several utility corridors traverse the Buxton area, creating opportunities for solar development adjacent to existing rights-of-way where land has already been partially cleared.

Topographical Challenges

Despite these opportunities, certain topographical features around Buxton present challenges for large-scale solar development. The Saco River floodplain, while flat and often cleared, faces periodic flooding risks that would complicate solar installations. Similarly, the numerous wetland areas scattered throughout the region would require careful avoidance or mitigation strategies. Areas with steep slopes, particularly those exceeding 15% grade, would increase construction costs and erosion risks. Such terrain is more common in the eastern portions of Buxton and along stream valleys. The mixed forest cover, while aesthetically pleasing and ecologically valuable, creates potential shading issues that would require careful site selection or more extensive clearing, raising both economic and environmental considerations. In conclusion, the topography around Buxton offers moderate potential for large-scale solar development, with the most promising sites being former agricultural lands and gently sloping hillsides with southern exposure, particularly in the western and northern sections of the town. These areas combine favorable terrain with practical development considerations while working within the constraints of the region's rolling, partially forested landscape.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.