Cinnaminson, New Jersey offers a moderately good location for year-round solar energy generation, though like most locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, it experiences significant seasonal variation in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the peak performance period, generating 6.02 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This represents the ideal time for solar generation when the sun is highest in the sky and daylight hours are longest. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.44 kWh per day per kW, making it another excellent period for solar energy production. The combination of improving sun angles and generally clear spring weather creates favorable conditions. Autumn shows a notable decline to 3.48 kWh per day per kW as the sun angle decreases and weather patterns begin to shift. Winter presents the most challenging period with only 2.14 kWh per day per kW, representing roughly one-third of summer production levels.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round energy production at Cinnaminson, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's varying elevation throughout the year and weighting these angles based on actual solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in this New Jersey location can impact solar energy generation:

• Snow accumulation: Winter snow can completely block solar panels, eliminating energy production until removed
• Coastal humidity: New Jersey's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean creates higher humidity levels that can reduce solar efficiency
• Storm systems: The region experiences nor'easters and occasional hurricanes that bring extended cloudy periods
• Air pollution: Being in a densely populated corridor between New York and Philadelphia means higher particulate matter that can coat panels

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges: The 35-degree tilt angle naturally helps with snow shedding, as steeper angles allow snow to slide off more easily than flat installations. Installing panels with adequate spacing between rows prevents snow from one panel blocking another below it. Regular cleaning schedules become more important in this location due to both air pollution and seasonal debris. Installing panels with easy access for maintenance helps ensure consistent performance throughout the year. Choosing high-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings can help maintain efficiency in humid conditions. Proper ventilation behind panels prevents moisture buildup and maintains optimal operating temperatures. Storm-resistant mounting systems designed for the region's wind loads ensure panels remain secure during severe weather events. Microinverters or power optimizers can help maintain system performance when individual panels are partially shaded or snow-covered. Overall, while Cinnaminson presents some challenges typical of the Mid-Atlantic region, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help achieve reliable solar energy production throughout the year.

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 Cinnaminson

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.0055, Longitude: -74.9979 (Cinnaminson, 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 35° South in Cinnaminson, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cinnaminson, United States (Lat/Long 40.0055, -74.9979) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Cinnaminson, 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 Cinnaminson, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Cinnaminson, 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 Cinnaminson, 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 Cinnaminson, United States

Topographical Characteristics of the Cinnaminson Area

The landscape around Cinnaminson, New Jersey is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain region. This area sits at a low elevation, generally ranging between 20 to 100 feet above sea level, with gentle rolling hills and minimal topographical variation. The Delaware River forms a significant geographical feature to the west, creating a natural boundary with Pennsylvania while contributing to the area's flat river valley topography. The region's terrain was largely shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in deposits of sand, clay, and gravel that created the current gently undulating landscape. Small creeks and tributaries meander through the area, creating subtle valleys and drainage patterns, but these features are generally shallow and do not create significant elevation changes or steep slopes that would complicate development projects.

Soil Composition and Ground Conditions

The soil composition in this part of New Jersey consists primarily of well-drained sandy loams and clay-based soils, with some areas containing seasonal wetlands and marshy conditions near waterways. The relatively stable geological foundation provides good support for construction activities, though some areas may require soil testing due to the presence of clay layers that can affect drainage and foundation stability. Agricultural land use has been common throughout the region historically, indicating that much of the terrain has already been cleared and leveled for farming purposes. This prior land use has created large, relatively flat parcels that require minimal grading or preparation for alternative development purposes.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be the open agricultural fields and former farmland that dot the landscape south and east of Cinnaminson. These areas offer several advantages including minimal tree coverage, existing cleared land, and relatively flat terrain that reduces installation costs and complexity. The gently rolling hills found in the eastern portions of Burlington County, particularly areas moving away from the immediate Delaware River floodplain, provide excellent opportunities for solar development. These slightly elevated areas offer good drainage characteristics while maintaining the flat to gently sloping terrain ideal for solar panel arrays. The elevation changes are gradual enough to accommodate large installations without requiring extensive site modification. Former agricultural areas along Routes 130 and 73 corridors present particularly attractive opportunities, as these locations combine suitable topography with existing infrastructure access. The land in these areas is typically already cleared, has established road access, and sits on stable ground that can support the weight and anchoring requirements of commercial solar installations. Areas to avoid would include the immediate floodplains near the Delaware River and smaller waterways, where seasonal flooding and wetland regulations could complicate development. Additionally, the more densely wooded areas in the northern sections would require significant clearing costs that could impact project economics. The relatively uniform topography throughout the broader region means that site selection can focus more heavily on factors such as land availability, zoning regulations, and grid connection opportunities rather than being constrained by challenging terrain features.

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.