Farmingdale, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 40.7306, -73.4313, presents a moderately favorable location for solar photovoltaic energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that make it less than ideal for year-round consistent production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.14 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.64 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.62 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.11 kWh per day per kW. This winter output represents just over one-third of the summer peak, highlighting the significant seasonal variability that characterizes this location.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round solar production at Farmingdale, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 35-degree tilt angle facing south. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year, determining optimal panel positioning for each day, and then weighting these angles based on actual solar irradiance data to find the best compromise for annual energy production.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Farmingdale area can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall can completely block solar panels, eliminating energy production until snow melts or is removed
• Coastal humidity and salt air: Being relatively close to the Atlantic Ocean, salt-laden air can create corrosive conditions and reduce panel efficiency over time
• Frequent cloud cover: The Northeast climate pattern brings regular overcast conditions, particularly during autumn and winter months
• Ice formation: Winter ice can damage panels and mounting systems while also blocking sunlight

Preventative Measures for Enhanced Production

Several installation strategies can help mitigate these local challenges:

• Steep panel angles: Installing panels at steeper angles than the optimal 35 degrees can help snow slide off more easily, though this may slightly reduce overall annual production
• Anti-corrosive materials: Using marine-grade mounting hardware and frames with enhanced corrosion resistance protects against salt air damage
• Regular maintenance scheduling: Establishing quarterly cleaning and inspection routines helps maintain peak efficiency and identifies weather-related damage early
• Proper drainage design: Ensuring adequate water runoff prevents ice dam formation and reduces moisture-related issues

The 35-degree south-facing installation remains the best compromise for maximizing total annual energy production, even considering these local environmental factors. While Farmingdale's location provides decent solar potential during the warmer months, the significant winter production drop and local weather challenges make it a moderately suitable rather than ideal location for consistent year-round solar energy generation.

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 Farmingdale

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7306, Longitude: -73.4313 (Farmingdale, 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 Farmingdale, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Farmingdale, United States (Lat/Long 40.7306, -73.4313) 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 Farmingdale, 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 Farmingdale, 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 Farmingdale, 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 Farmingdale, 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 Farmingdale, United States

Topographical Features of Farmingdale

Farmingdale sits within the gently rolling landscape of central Long Island, New York, characterized by relatively modest elevation changes and terrain shaped by ancient glacial activity. The area features a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and flat to gently sloping terrain typical of the Long Island moraine system. Elevations in and around Farmingdale generally range from about 50 to 200 feet above sea level, with the highest points found along the Harbor Hill Moraine that runs east-west through the northern portions of Nassau County.

The immediate vicinity consists largely of developed suburban and light industrial areas interspersed with patches of remaining woodland and open space. The topography is generally well-drained due to the underlying glacial deposits of sand, gravel, and till, though some areas contain clay deposits that can affect drainage patterns. Small streams and tributaries flow through the region, creating minor valleys and wetland areas that punctuate the otherwise gently undulating landscape.

The terrain becomes progressively flatter as one moves south toward the coastal plain, while the northern areas toward the Long Island Sound feature more pronounced hills and ridges associated with the terminal moraine formations. Agricultural fields, though less common than in the past, still exist in pockets throughout the region, particularly in areas with favorable soil conditions and adequate drainage.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations lie to the east and southeast of Farmingdale, where the terrain transitions into the flatter expanses of the Hempstead Plains and the broader Long Island coastal plain. These areas offer large tracts of relatively level ground with minimal shading from topographical features, making them ideal for utility-scale solar arrays that require consistent exposure throughout the day.

Former agricultural lands and undeveloped parcels in communities such as Melville, Plainview, and areas extending toward Bethpage and Levittown present excellent opportunities due to their gentle slopes and open character. The flat to slightly rolling terrain in these locations minimizes grading requirements and reduces installation costs while maximizing the efficiency of panel placement.

Industrial and commercial zones along major transportation corridors, particularly those with large flat rooftops or adjacent open lots, represent another category of suitable locations. The relatively stable geology underlying most of the region provides good foundation conditions for ground-mounted systems, while the gentle topography ensures that arrays can be oriented optimally without significant terrain modifications.

Areas closer to the Long Island Expressway and Southern State Parkway corridors offer additional advantages due to existing infrastructure and electrical transmission access. The flat expanses near Republic Airport and surrounding areas also present potential, though aviation considerations would need to be evaluated. Moving further east into Suffolk County, the Pine Barrens region offers vast areas of level sandy terrain, though environmental sensitivity and distance from transmission infrastructure may present challenges.

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.