Solar PV Analysis of Ellington, United States
Ellington, Connecticut, in the United States is a moderately good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. In simple terms, how much electricity you can get from your solar panels depends on how much sunlight they receive.
In summer and spring seasons, this location receives quite a lot of sunlight with an average output of 5.84 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer and 5.62 kWh/day in Spring for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power.
However, during autumn and winter seasons when days are shorter and there's less sunshine overall, the output drops significantly to 3.51 kWh/day in Autumn and even lower at 2.07 kWh/day in Winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, it's best to tilt them towards the south at an angle of about 37 degrees which would help capture as much sunlight as possible across different times of the year.
As for potential factors that could affect solar production - weather conditions such as cloudy or snowy days could reduce sunlight reaching your panels hence decreasing their output; trees or other tall structures nearby might also cast shadows over your panels which would similarly reduce their efficiency.
To mitigate these issues:
- You can install devices that automatically adjust panel angles based on time of day/year to ensure optimal exposure to sun.
- Regularly clean off any snow or debris accumulated on top
- Consider trimming or removing any obstructions like trees if necessary
Overall though Ellington has decent potential for generating energy via solar PV but one needs to be mindful about adjusting setups according to seasonal changes and local environmental factors.
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 Ellington
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.9048, Longitude: -72.4822 (Ellington, 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 37° South in Ellington, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ellington, United States (Lat/Long 41.9048, -72.4822) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Ellington, 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 Ellington, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° 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 Ellington, 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 Ellington, 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 Ellington, United States
Ellington, United States is located in the state of Connecticut and generally features a rolling landscape with small hills and valleys. It's part of the Eastern Uplands and has a mix of forested areas, farmland, residential developments, and commercial properties.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping land is often preferred as it requires less site preparation. Areas that are not heavily wooded would also be beneficial to avoid shading issues on the panels. Existing farmland could potentially be converted into solar farms if it's no longer needed for agricultural purposes.
However, local zoning laws may restrict where such installations can take place. Therefore, any potential sites would need to thoroughly reviewed for their suitability including environmental impact assessments.
Furthermore, areas with high annual sunshine hours should be prioritized to maximize energy production from the solar panels. According to climate data for Ellington area (Tolland County), it receives an average of 2000-2200 sunshine hours per year which is relatively decent for solar power generation in comparison to other parts of US.
Lastly proximity to existing power infrastructure like substations or transmission lines would also play a key role in determining suitable locations as this can significantly reduce costs associated with connecting the solar farm into the grid system.
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: Wednesday 27th 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.
