Camillus, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar potential varies significantly across seasons, with summer offering the most favorable conditions for solar PV production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy generation in Camillus, with an impressive daily output of 6.11 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.19 kWh/day. These warmer months, characterized by longer daylight hours and higher sun angles, provide ideal conditions for solar PV systems.

However, the colder months see a substantial drop in solar production. Autumn experiences a significant decrease to 2.87 kWh/day, while winter plummets to a mere 1.48 kWh/day per kW installed. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar reliance in this location.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Camillus, 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 paths.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Camillus faces several environmental factors that could impede solar production:

1. Snow accumulation in winter, which can cover panels and reduce efficiency
2. Cloudy weather, particularly common in the fall and winter months
3. Potential shading from deciduous trees, especially relevant in residential areas

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

1. Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
2. Use high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions
3. Conduct a thorough shade analysis and trim trees if necessary
4. Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially after snowfall

While Camillus isn't ideal for year-round solar production, thoughtful installation and maintenance can significantly enhance the system's overall performance, making solar energy a viable option for supplementing electricity needs, particularly during the spring and summer 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 Camillus

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.0392, Longitude: -76.3041 (Camillus, 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 Camillus, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Camillus, United States (Lat/Long 43.0392, -76.3041) 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 Camillus, 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 Camillus, 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
27° South in Summer	47° 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 Camillus, 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 Camillus, 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 Camillus, United States

The topography around Camillus, New York, in the United States, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Finger Lakes region. This area, located in central New York state, was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in a varied landscape with subtle elevation changes. The terrain surrounding Camillus features a mix of open fields, wooded areas, and small streams. The land gradually rises from the lowlands near Onondaga Lake to the east, climbing westward towards higher elevations. The area is part of the Onondaga Lake watershed, with several creeks and tributaries flowing through the region.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently sloping terrain in and around Camillus offers some advantages for solar development. South-facing slopes, in particular, would be ideal for maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. Open agricultural lands to the west and southwest of Camillus present promising opportunities for solar farm development. These areas often have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels, and the existing land use may be more easily converted to solar installations. However, it's important to note that the region experiences significant cloud cover and receives less direct sunlight compared to more southern parts of the United States. This factor may impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar projects in the area. Additionally, any potential solar development would need to consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and the preservation of prime agricultural land. Areas with lower agricultural value or previously disturbed sites might be preferable for solar PV installations to minimize conflicts with food production and natural habitats. In conclusion, while the topography around Camillus is generally favorable for solar PV development, the most suitable areas would likely be found on gently sloping, south-facing open lands away from densely forested or residential areas. Careful site selection and environmental assessment would be crucial to ensure the success and sustainability of any large-scale solar projects in this region.

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.