Solar PV Analysis of Edgewater, United States
Edgewater, New Jersey, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's latitude and longitude (40.8327, -73.9712) contribute to varying solar output across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panel efficiency in Edgewater fluctuates significantly with the changing seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.15 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.69 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.69 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.20 kWh/day.
Optimal Installation Angle
For fixed panel installations in Edgewater, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 35 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Peak Generation Periods
The most favorable times for solar energy generation in Edgewater are from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, even during the less productive winter months, solar panels can still generate a meaningful amount of electricity.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
While Edgewater's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps snow slide off more easily.
- Occasional coastal storms may bring heavy cloud cover, reducing solar output. Using microinverters or power optimizers can help mitigate the impact of partial shading.
To maximize solar production in Edgewater, consider regular panel cleaning to remove any debris or salt spray, and ensure proper spacing between panels for adequate ventilation. Additionally, implementing a monitoring system can help quickly identify and address any performance issues.
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 Edgewater
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.8327, Longitude: -73.9712 (Edgewater, 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 Edgewater, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Edgewater, United States (Lat/Long 40.8327, -73.9712) 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 Edgewater, 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 Edgewater, 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 | 34° 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 Edgewater, 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 Edgewater, 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 Edgewater, United States
The area around Edgewater, New Jersey, which is located along the western bank of the Hudson River, has a varied topography. The immediate vicinity of Edgewater is characterized by a narrow strip of relatively flat land along the riverfront, which quickly rises into steep cliffs and hills known as the New Jersey Palisades.
These Palisades are a distinctive geological feature, forming a line of steep cliffs that run parallel to the Hudson River for about 20 miles. They rise abruptly from the river's edge, reaching heights of 300 to 540 feet. This dramatic change in elevation creates a striking landscape, with the flat riverfront area giving way to the towering cliffs.
Moving inland from the Palisades, the terrain becomes more varied, with a mix of rolling hills, small valleys, and some flatter areas. This inland region is part of the larger Piedmont physiographic province, characterized by its gently sloping landscape.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the options are somewhat limited due to the urban nature of the region and the challenging topography. However, there are a few possibilities to consider:
1. The flatter areas inland from the Palisades might offer some potential for solar installations, particularly in less developed regions or on large commercial rooftops. Areas in Bergen County or Passaic County, where there's more open space, could be more suitable.
2. Former industrial sites or brownfields in the broader New Jersey Meadowlands region, located to the southwest of Edgewater, might provide opportunities for solar development. These areas are generally flatter and may have large, open spaces that could accommodate solar arrays.
3. While not ideal due to the sloping terrain, some portions of the Palisades themselves might be considered for solar installations, particularly on south-facing slopes that receive good sun exposure. However, this would likely face significant environmental and aesthetic challenges.
It's important to note that the heavily urbanized nature of this region, combined with its unique topography, makes large-scale solar PV development challenging. Any potential projects would need to carefully consider land availability, environmental impacts, and local regulations.
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: Monday 23rd 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.
