Solar PV Analysis of East Orange, United States
The location in East Orange, New Jersey is reasonably suitable for generating solar energy year-round. However, the amount of electricity produced by solar panels changes with the seasons due to variations in sunlight intensity and duration.
In summer, you can expect about 6.05 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power—this is when your panels will be most productive. In spring, production drops slightly to around 5.47 kWh/day per kW but it's still quite good.
Autumn sees a further decrease in productivity with an average output of around 3.54 kWh/day per kW as days start getting shorter and the sun's angle decreases.
Winter is the least productive season for solar panels at this location because there are fewer hours of daylight and sunlight strength is lower compared to other times of year; during this time you can expect about 2.18 kWh/day per kW.
For optimal performance all year round, it's recommended that fixed panel installations at this location should be tilted at an angle facing 35 degrees South.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could potentially hinder solar production here - New Jersey does experience some snowfall which can cover panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping production altogether if not cleared off promptly; also long periods without sunshine such as overcast days or heavy fog could reduce output too.
To help mitigate these issues and ensure greater energy production from your installation: consider using snow guards on your roof if feasible to prevent accumulation on your panels; regularly clean and maintain your system so dust or debris doesn't block sunlight reaching them; also if possible install a monitoring system so you'll know quickly if there are any problems affecting their operation like shading from growing trees etc., allowing you to take remedial action sooner rather than later.
Finally remember while these measures will help they won't eliminate these issues entirely - but overall given the average outputs in each season, East Orange, New Jersey is still a pretty good location for generating solar energy.
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 East Orange
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7523, Longitude: -74.2172 (East Orange, 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 East Orange, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in East Orange, United States (Lat/Long 40.7523, -74.2172) 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 East Orange, 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 East Orange, 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 | 45° South in Autumn | 56° 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 East Orange, 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 East Orange, 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 East Orange, United States
East Orange, United States is located in the state of New Jersey. The topography around East Orange is relatively flat with a few small hills and valleys. It's mostly urbanized, with numerous buildings and infrastructure.
The region experiences a humid subtropical climate which means it has hot summers and cold winters. This could potentially affect the efficiency of solar panels due to snowfall or excessive heat.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open spaces are usually preferred. In the immediate vicinity of East Orange, such spaces may be limited due to its urban nature. However, there might be opportunities for rooftop solar installations on commercial or industrial buildings.
In terms of nearby areas that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV projects:
1) Landfills: Unused landfills can provide ample space for large scale PV installation like the 4.4 MW landfill solar project in Kearny (about 10 miles from East Orange).
2) Brownfields: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use and could potentially host large scale photovoltaic systems.
3) Farmlands: Areas like Morris County have significant farmland that could host dual-use agri-solar developments (agriculture combined with photovoltaics).
4) Rooftop Solar Installations: Given the high density of buildings in nearby Newark and Jersey City, there may also be potential for widespread rooftop installations.
It’s important to note that any potential site would need further analysis including sun exposure assessment (solar irradiance), connection to grid infrastructure as well as environmental impact assessments.
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: Saturday 18th of May 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.
