Solar PV Analysis of Cassadaga, United States
Cassadaga, New York is a decent spot for solar energy generation throughout the year, although it's not perfect. The amount of electricity that solar panels can produce varies depending on the time of year. In summer and spring, the panels can generate quite a bit of power - 6.42kWh/day in summer and 5.38kWh/day in spring per kW installed. However, during autumn and winter when there's less sunlight, production drops to 3.20kWh/day and 1.80kWh/day respectively.
The best times to generate solar energy at this location are during the sunnier months of late spring through early fall (summer being ideal). During these times you'll get more bang for your buck with your solar panels due to longer daylight hours.
For fixed panel installations here, tilting them at an angle of 36 degrees towards the south will give you maximum yearly production from your solar setup.
As far as local factors that could affect production go, Cassadaga experiences typical northeastern US weather which includes snowfall during winter months which could cover up panels reducing their efficiency or even damaging them if heavy enough; frequent cloud cover especially in fall/winter also reduces sunlight reaching the panels thereby affecting their performance too.
To mitigate these issues:
- Regular maintenance including clearing off snow from panels would be needed.
- Also installing systems that allow for adjusting tilt angles seasonally might help capture more light as sun position changes over different seasons.
- Lastly considering installation setups where partial shading doesn't affect entire system output (like micro-inverters or power optimizers) would also help as they isolate shaded parts ensuring other sections continue producing efficiently.
So while not completely ideal all year round due to changing seasons/weather patterns affecting sunlight availability; with proper planning/setup/maintenance one can still harness significant amounts of solar energy at this location most part of the year especially during sunny periods/seasons.
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 Cassadaga
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.3442247, Longitude: -79.309489 (Cassadaga, 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 Cassadaga, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cassadaga, United States (Lat/Long 42.3442247, -79.309489) 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 Cassadaga, 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 Cassadaga, 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 | 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 Cassadaga, 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 Cassadaga, 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 Cassadaga, United States
Cassadaga is located in the state of New York, United States. The topography around Cassadaga is characterized by rolling hills and valleys, with a mix of open fields and forested areas. It's part of the Great Lakes region and falls within the Appalachian Uplands.
For large-scale solar PV installations, you would ideally want flat or gently sloping terrain that receives a lot of sunlight throughout the year. Open fields or farmland would be ideal as they are often less shaded than forested areas.
Nearby areas that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV include:
1) Areas to the south and east of Cassadaga where there seem to be larger expanses of open land.
2) Farmlands near Sinclairville could potentially be good locations as well.
3) The area around Arkwright Hills may also have potential due to its higher elevation which could mean more sun exposure.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power also depends on other factors such as local climate conditions (including average annual sunshine hours), local regulations regarding renewable energy projects, proximity to power grids for easy transmission etc. Therefore, a thorough feasibility study should always precede any decision on where to install large-scale solar PV systems.
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 1st of May 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.
