Solar PV Analysis of Dover, United States
Dover, New Hampshire is a decent location for generating solar energy year-round, but it's not the best. The amount of electricity you can expect to produce with solar panels changes throughout the year. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity (5.79kWh/day in Summer and 5.37kWh/day in Spring per kW of installed solar). However, in autumn and especially winter, the output drops significantly (3.30kWh/day in Autumn and 1.96kWh/day in Winter per kW).
So if you are planning on relying solely on solar power for your energy needs, you would need to plan accordingly or have a backup source during those less productive months.
When installing these panels at Dover, it's recommended that they be tilted at an angle of 38 degrees facing south for maximum efficiency throughout the year.
As for local factors that could affect solar production here: Dover has a mix of sunny and cloudy days throughout the year which could impact your system’s performance. Snowfall during winter might also cover your panels reducing their effectiveness unless cleared off.
To ensure greater energy production from your solar installation despite these challenges:
1) Consider installing an automated tracking system that follows the sun across the sky which increases efficiency by keeping panels optimally angled towards sunlight.
2) You should also consider investing in snow guards or heated panels to keep them clear during snowy seasons.
3) Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure optimal functioning as dust or debris may reduce panel efficiency over time.
4) Designing a system with excess capacity can help compensate for lower production times like autumn or winter months.
Remember though that while these measures may increase productivity they will also increase initial investment costs - so factor this into any decisions about whether going fully solar is right for you!
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 Dover
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.2014, Longitude: -70.8824 (Dover, 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 38° South in Dover, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dover, United States (Lat/Long 43.2014, -70.8824) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Dover, 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 Dover, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 58° 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 Dover, 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 Dover, 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 Dover, United States
Dover is located in the state of New Hampshire, United States. The topography around Dover is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain with numerous rivers and streams crisscrossing the landscape. The region is predominantly forested with some agricultural lands and urban areas.
The best locations for large-scale solar PV installations would be flat open areas that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. Given this, potential suitable locations could include:
1. Unused farmlands: Agricultural lands that are no longer in use can be converted into solar farms. They typically have good sun exposure and are relatively flat which makes installation easier.
2. Industrial zones: Large industrial rooftops or unused industrial land can also serve as potential sites for solar PV installations.
3. Brownfield sites: These are previously developed lands that may have been contaminated with hazardous substances or pollutants but have since been cleaned up or remediated.
In terms of specific nearby areas, towns like Rochester, Somersworth, Durham could potentially host large scale solar projects given their proximity to Dover and similar landscape characteristics.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar energy production depends not only on topography but also on factors such as local climate (especially hours of sunlight), land use regulations, availability of grid infrastructure etc., all of which need to be assessed in a detailed feasibility study before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV installation.
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: Sunday 10th of March 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.
