Solar PV Analysis of Cortland, United States
Cortland, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With coordinates 42.5942, -76.1881, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.97 kWh per day output for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.07 kWh per day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.
Autumn sees a notable decrease in solar output, dropping to 3.03 kWh per day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with production plummeting to just 1.70 kWh per day. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the importance of efficient energy storage and grid integration to balance supply throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Cortland, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 36 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, helping to mitigate some of the winter production losses.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impact solar production in Cortland:
- Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency.
- Frequent cloud cover, especially during fall and winter months, can decrease solar irradiance.
To address these challenges, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow shedding. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and incorporating snow removal systems can help maintain production during winter months. Regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial to ensure optimal performance year-round.
Despite these challenges, Cortland's location still offers substantial potential for solar energy production, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper planning and mitigation strategies, a solar PV system can provide significant energy contributions 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 Cortland
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.5942, Longitude: -76.1881 (Cortland, 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 Cortland, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cortland, United States (Lat/Long 42.5942, -76.1881) 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 Cortland, 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 Cortland, 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 Cortland, 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 Cortland, 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 Cortland, United States
The topography around Cortland, New York, is characterized by rolling hills and valleys typical of the Finger Lakes region. This area is part of the Appalachian Plateau, which was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age. The landscape features a mix of gentle slopes and more pronounced hills, with elevations generally ranging from about 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea level.
Cortland itself sits in a valley, surrounded by higher terrain. To the east and west, the land rises into more substantial hills, while to the north and south, the valley extends, following the path of the Tioughnioga River. The area also includes numerous small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found on the more gently sloping hillsides and open fields surrounding Cortland. Ideal locations would have a southern exposure to maximize sunlight capture throughout the day. The rural areas to the south and southeast of Cortland, where there are more expansive, open spaces with fewer trees, could be particularly well-suited for solar farms.
However, it's important to note that the region's climate, characterized by frequent cloud cover and significant snowfall in winter, may present challenges for solar energy production. Additionally, any large-scale solar project would need to consider factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and potential environmental impacts.
Areas to avoid for solar installations would include the steeper hillsides, densely forested regions, and low-lying areas prone to flooding or shadowing from nearby hills. The immediate vicinity of the city itself, with its higher population density and more developed infrastructure, would also be less suitable 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 4th of September 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.
