Camden, Delaware, in the United States, offers a moderate location for solar PV electricity generation with significant seasonal variations. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this site experiences strong production in summer months but considerably reduced output during winter.

Seasonal Solar Production

The energy output at this location varies dramatically throughout the year. During summer, solar panels generate their maximum output at 6.45kWh per day for each kilowatt installed. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.58kWh/day. Production drops substantially in autumn to 3.73kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest generation at only 2.25kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

This pattern creates a nearly 3:1 ratio between the best and worst seasons, with summer producing almost three times the electricity of winter months. Spring and summer together represent the prime solar generating period at this location, accounting for significantly more than half of the annual production potential.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Camden, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the annual electricity generation by balancing seasonal variations and accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's position in the Northern Hemisphere.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors may impact solar production at this Delaware location. The mid-Atlantic region experiences seasonal snowfall that can temporarily cover panels during winter months, precisely when production is already at its lowest. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps snow slide off more easily than a flatter installation would allow.

Camden also experiences humid summers with occasional thunderstorms that can temporarily reduce production. Regular rainfall generally helps keep panels clean, but periodic professional cleaning may still be beneficial to remove pollen and other residue that accumulates during spring and summer months.

Deciduous trees present another consideration in this region. If the installation site has nearby trees, careful placement is necessary to avoid shade, particularly during fall and winter when the sun's path is lower in the sky. Professional solar installers should conduct a thorough shade analysis before finalizing panel placement.

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 Camden

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.1027, Longitude: -75.596 (Camden, 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 34° South in Camden, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Camden, United States (Lat/Long 39.1027, -75.596) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Camden, 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 Camden, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Camden, 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 Camden, 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 Camden, United States

The topography surrounding Camden, Delaware, located at approximately 39.1027°N, -75.596°W, is characterized by its notably flat terrain, typical of Delaware's coastal plain region. This area lies in what geologists refer to as the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic province, which features minimal elevation changes across substantial distances. The landscape around Camden consists primarily of low-lying plains with elevations generally ranging from just a few feet above sea level to approximately 50 feet. This flat expanse extends throughout most of central and southern Delaware, creating a remarkably level landscape with only subtle undulations. The region's topographic flatness results from its geological history, having formed from sedimentary deposits laid down over millions of years as the ancient coastline shifted. These deposits created the sandy, loamy soils that now characterize the area. Small streams and drainage channels occasionally interrupt the otherwise uniform terrain, but these waterways typically have minimal impact on the overall flatness of the land. The St. Jones River and its tributaries represent the most significant natural water features in the vicinity, creating shallow valleys within the otherwise level landscape.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

The topographical characteristics of the Camden area make it exceptionally well-suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations for several reasons. The predominantly flat terrain minimizes the need for extensive grading or land preparation, which significantly reduces initial construction costs for solar facilities. This flatness also eliminates concerns about slope orientation (aspect) that might otherwise affect solar panel efficiency in more varied topographies. Agricultural lands surrounding Camden represent particularly promising sites for solar PV development. These areas already feature cleared, open spaces with minimal shading from natural features or structures. The region contains substantial tracts of farmland, especially to the south and west of Camden proper, that could potentially accommodate utility-scale solar installations while requiring minimal land conversion efforts. Areas to the west of Camden, extending toward Harrington, offer especially favorable conditions for solar development. These locations combine the necessary flat topography with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, including transmission lines that could facilitate grid connection. Similarly, the relatively open lands south of Camden toward Frederica present opportunities for solar development with minimal topographical challenges. From a purely topographical perspective, the few areas to avoid would include the immediate surroundings of the St. Jones River and other waterways, which may be subject to periodic flooding and represent more ecologically sensitive environments. Additionally, the more developed areas immediately surrounding Camden and Dover would present challenges related to land availability rather than topography. The generally unobstructed horizon throughout the region is another topographical advantage, allowing for maximum solar exposure throughout the day as the sun tracks across the sky. This characteristic of flat coastal plains eliminates the potential shading issues that might affect solar installations in more mountainous or hilly regions where terrain features can cast shadows during portions of the day.

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.