Solar PV Analysis of Canandaigua, United States
The location at Canandaigua, New York, in the United States is moderately suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. This is based on the average amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar power throughout different seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect higher energy production with averages of 6.01 and 5.11 kilowatt-hours per day respectively. These are the best times to generate solar power because there's more sunlight available compared to other seasons.
In contrast, autumn and winter have lower production rates with an average of 3.08 and 1.71 kilowatt-hours per day respectively due to less sunlight exposure.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 36 degrees towards the south would help maximize total yearly energy production from your solar PV system.
However, certain local factors could potentially affect solar production in Canandaigua such as weather conditions (like heavy snowfall in winter or cloudy days), environmental aspects (like shading from trees or buildings), among others which might reduce exposure to sunlight thus affecting efficiency.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning & maintenance: It's important to keep your panels clean especially after snowfall or dust storms so they can absorb maximum sunlight.
2) Tree Trimming: If shading from nearby trees is a problem, consider trimming them regularly.
3) Optimal Installation: Be sure that your panels are installed in a spot where they get maximum sun exposure without any obstructions.
4) Use Snow Guards: In areas prone to heavy snowfall like Canandaigua, installing snow guards could prevent accumulation on the panels thereby allowing better sunlight absorption.
So while not perfect all year round due to seasonal changes and potential local obstacles - with proper installation techniques and regular upkeep - using solar PV for electricity generation can still be quite effective in Canandaigua, New York.
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 Canandaigua
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.87, Longitude: -77.2791 (Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Canandaigua, United States (Lat/Long 42.87, -77.2791) 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 Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, 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 | 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 Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, United States
Canandaigua is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, which is characterized by rolling hills, valleys and large bodies of water. The exact topography varies throughout the region, but it generally includes a mix of flatlands, gentle slopes and steep hills.
Solar PV installations require areas with good solar exposure – i.e., places that are not shaded by trees or buildings – and preferably flat or gently sloping land for ease of installation and maintenance. Therefore, open fields or farmlands around Canandaigua could be suitable for large-scale solar PV projects.
However, there are many other factors to consider when selecting a site for a solar farm such as proximity to power grids for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity; local zoning laws; environmental impact on local wildlife; soil type (since some types may not be suitable for installing heavy panels); etc.
A detailed feasibility study including site inspection would be necessary to identify specific locations most suited for largescale solar PV around Canandaigua.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 4th 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.
