Ellsworth, Maine, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) panels. The city's position at latitude 44.5548 and longitude -68.4121 offers varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Ellsworth follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.79 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring closely follows with 5.37 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent opportunities for solar energy generation.

Autumn sees a significant drop in production, averaging 3.14 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with output falling to just 1.96 kWh/day per kW installed. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs.

Optimizing Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Ellsworth, fixed panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the low winter sun with the high summer sun.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Ellsworth:

• Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel output
• Frequent cloudy days, especially in fall and winter, can diminish solar generation

To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and ensuring regular maintenance can help maximize production even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Despite these challenges, Ellsworth's location still offers substantial solar potential, particularly from late spring through early fall. With proper system design and installation, solar PV can be a viable renewable energy option for this Maine city.

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 Ellsworth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.5548, Longitude: -68.4121 (Ellsworth, 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 39° South in Ellsworth, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ellsworth, United States (Lat/Long 44.5548, -68.4121) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
28° South in Summer	49° South in Autumn	59° South in Winter	37° 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 Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Ellsworth, United States

The topography around Ellsworth, Maine (located at 44.5548°N, 68.4121°W) is characterized by a diverse landscape typical of coastal Maine. The area features a mix of gently rolling hills, low-lying valleys, and numerous water bodies. Ellsworth itself is situated near the confluence of the Union River and Graham Lake, with the terrain gradually rising as you move away from the water. To the west and northwest of Ellsworth, the land becomes more rugged and hilly, with elevations increasing as you approach the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This area is dotted with small lakes, ponds, and streams, creating a picturesque landscape of forested hills and valleys. To the east and southeast, the terrain becomes flatter as it approaches the Atlantic coast. This coastal region is marked by numerous bays, inlets, and islands, with Acadia National Park located just a short distance to the south. The coastline is rocky and irregular, with many small peninsulas and coves.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Ellsworth that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstructions. The areas to the east and southeast of Ellsworth, where the land flattens out towards the coast, could potentially offer suitable sites for solar PV installations. These areas may have larger open spaces and fewer obstructions to sunlight. However, proximity to the coast means careful consideration must be given to potential salt spray and coastal weather patterns that could affect solar panel efficiency and longevity. Some of the cleared agricultural lands to the north and northwest of Ellsworth might also be suitable for solar PV projects. These areas often have open fields with good sun exposure, although the more hilly terrain in this direction could present challenges in terms of uniform panel placement and maximizing sun exposure throughout the day. It's important to note that while the topography plays a crucial role in determining suitable locations for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar project in the Ellsworth area.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.