Clifton Park, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a varied solar energy potential throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar PV electricity output, which impacts its overall suitability for year-round solar energy generation.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.89 kWh per day output for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.24 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer days and more direct sunlight.

Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, dropping to 3.17 kWh/day. Winter experiences the most significant decline, with only 1.72 kWh/day of energy production. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the challenges of maintaining consistent solar energy generation throughout the year in Clifton Park.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 37-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle is calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Clifton Park's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The area experiences cold winters with significant snowfall, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. To mitigate this, panels can be installed at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using snow-resistant panel coatings and implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help maintain production during winter months.

Tree coverage in the region may also impact solar potential. Careful site selection and, if necessary, selective pruning can help ensure panels receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the year.

Conclusion

While Clifton Park's location is not ideal for consistent year-round solar energy production due to significant seasonal variations, it still offers substantial potential, especially during spring and summer months. With proper panel installation and maintenance strategies, many of the environmental and weather-related challenges can be effectively managed, making solar energy a viable option for this area.

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 3041 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 Clifton Park

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.8656, Longitude: -73.7709 (Clifton Park, 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 37° South in Clifton Park, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clifton Park, United States (Lat/Long 42.8656, -73.7709) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° 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	36° 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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, United States

Clifton Park, located in Saratoga County, New York, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys. The topography of the area is primarily the result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which left behind a landscape of subtle elevation changes and scattered wetlands. The terrain around Clifton Park is generally flat to moderately hilly, with elevations ranging from about 200 to 400 feet above sea level. The area is part of the Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands, a physiographic region that extends from the Adirondack Mountains in the north to the Catskill Mountains in the south. This region is known for its relatively level terrain interspersed with occasional low hills and ridges. To the east of Clifton Park, the land gradually slopes down towards the Hudson River, while to the west, the terrain becomes slightly more undulating as it approaches the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. The Mohawk River, a major tributary of the Hudson, flows to the south of Clifton Park, influencing the local topography with its wide valley and floodplains.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically have flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or structures. The agricultural lands to the north and west of Clifton Park could potentially be suitable for solar PV development. These areas often feature open fields with minimal tree cover, providing ample space and sunlight for solar panel arrays. The relatively flat terrain in these regions would also minimize the need for extensive grading or site preparation. Another promising area for solar PV installations might be found in the more rural parts of southern Saratoga County, where there are expansive tracts of land with favorable topography. These areas often have a mix of open fields and lightly forested sections, which could be selectively cleared to create ideal conditions for solar farms. It's important to note that while the topography around Clifton Park is generally conducive to solar PV development, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and proximity to electrical infrastructure would also need to be taken into account when determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar projects.

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.