Solar PV Analysis of Coxsackie, United States
Coxsackie, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a varied landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 42.3562° N latitude and 73.795° W longitude, this location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy potential.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panel efficiency in Coxsackie peaks during the summer months, with an impressive output of 5.92 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.29 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.23 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 1.78 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Coxsackie is most ideal for solar energy generation from late spring through early fall. During this period, longer days and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. Conversely, the winter months present challenges due to shorter days and lower sun angles, resulting in reduced energy production.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Coxsackie, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Coxsackie's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could impact efficiency:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel output.
- Cloudy days, particularly common in late fall and winter, may decrease energy production.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal when necessary, can help ensure optimal performance year-round.
Despite these challenges, Coxsackie's location still offers substantial potential for solar energy production, especially during the warmer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant portion of a household's or business's energy needs 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 Coxsackie
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.3562, Longitude: -73.795 (Coxsackie, 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 Coxsackie, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coxsackie, United States (Lat/Long 42.3562, -73.795) 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 Coxsackie, 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 Coxsackie, 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 Coxsackie, 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 Coxsackie, 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 Coxsackie, United States
The area around Coxsackie, New York, is characterized by diverse topography typical of the Hudson Valley region. Situated along the western bank of the Hudson River, Coxsackie's immediate surroundings feature a mix of gently rolling hills, flat riverside areas, and some steeper slopes as you move away from the river.
To the west of Coxsackie, the land gradually rises into the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. This transition creates a landscape of increasingly pronounced hills and valleys, with elevations climbing as you move further west. The eastern edge of Coxsackie, bordering the Hudson River, is relatively flat, with some low-lying areas that can be prone to flooding.
The town itself sits on a slight elevation above the river, providing some protection from high water levels. North and south of Coxsackie, the topography continues its pattern of rolling hills interspersed with small streams and creeks that flow eastward towards the Hudson River.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the most promising locations would likely be found in the flatter, open spaces to the east and southeast of Coxsackie. These areas, closer to the Hudson River, tend to have more expansive, level terrain that could accommodate solar arrays without requiring significant land alterations.
Some of the gently sloping hillsides to the west of Coxsackie might also be suitable, particularly those with a southern exposure. These locations could potentially capture more sunlight throughout the day. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas with steep gradients or dense forest cover, which are less ideal for solar installations.
It's worth noting that the agricultural lands in the vicinity, particularly those with open fields and minimal shading from trees or structures, could be prime candidates for solar development. However, this would need to be balanced with preserving valuable farmland.
Any large-scale solar project in this area would require careful site selection, taking into account not only topography but also factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations specific to the Hudson Valley region.
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: Friday 11th of October 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.
