Felton, Delaware, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and reduced output in winter.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Felton demonstrate the highest efficiency during summer, producing an average of 6.47 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 5.62 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 3.79 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.32 kWh/day per kW installed.

The substantial variation between seasons suggests that Felton's solar potential is heavily influenced by the changing daylight hours and sun angle throughout the year. While summer and spring offer excellent conditions for solar energy generation, the significant drop in autumn and winter output may necessitate alternative energy sources or energy storage solutions for consistent year-round power supply.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Felton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Felton's location in the Northern Temperate Zone means it experiences all four seasons, which can impact solar production. Snowfall in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency, while cloudy days in autumn and spring may lead to fluctuations in energy output. To mitigate these effects, consider the following measures:

• Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
• Use high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove debris and maximize light absorption

While Felton doesn't face extreme environmental challenges for solar production, its seasonal variations highlight the importance of proper system design and maintenance to ensure optimal performance year-round.

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 Felton

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.0085, Longitude: -75.578 (Felton, 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 34° South in Felton, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Felton, United States (Lat/Long 39.0085, -75.578) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Felton, 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 Felton, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Felton, 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 Felton, 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 Felton, United States

The topography around Felton, United States, located at latitude 39.0085 and longitude -75.578, is characterized by its flat and low-lying terrain. This area is part of Delaware's Coastal Plain region, which features a gentle, almost imperceptible slope towards the Atlantic Ocean. The landscape is predominantly level, with elevations typically ranging from just a few feet above sea level to around 50 feet at its highest points. The area surrounding Felton is a mix of agricultural fields, small woodlands, and scattered residential developments. The terrain is generally open and unobstructed, with few significant hills or valleys. This flat topography is a result of the region's geological history, having been shaped by ancient sea levels and sediment deposits over millions of years.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

Given the topographical characteristics of the Felton area, several nearby locations could be well-suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The flat, open terrain provides ideal conditions for solar farms, as it minimizes shading issues and simplifies the installation process. Areas to the south and southeast of Felton would be particularly suitable for solar PV projects. These regions tend to have larger tracts of agricultural land that could potentially be repurposed or dual-used for solar energy production. The open fields provide ample space for extensive arrays of solar panels without the need for significant land clearing or grading. Additionally, areas to the west and southwest of Felton, extending towards Harrington, offer similar favorable conditions. These locations benefit from the same flat topography and open landscapes, making them attractive for large-scale solar developments. It's important to note that while the topography is conducive to solar PV installations, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when determining the most suitable locations for solar farms in the region.

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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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.