Solar PV Analysis of Fly Creek, United States
Fly Creek, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.91 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.21 kWh/day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer days and higher sun angles.
Autumn sees a significant drop in output, producing 3.10 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with a mere 1.82 kWh/day, less than a third of the summer output. This stark seasonal contrast is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round energy production, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 37-degree angle facing south. This orientation helps balance the seasonal variations, capturing more sunlight during the less productive winter months while still performing well in summer.
Environmental Considerations
Fly Creek's location presents some challenges that could impact solar production:
- Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency
- Frequent cloud cover, especially in late autumn and winter, may limit solar exposure
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using micro-inverters or power optimizers can help maintain some production even when parts of the array are shaded or covered.
Conclusion
While Fly Creek isn't ideal for year-round solar production due to its pronounced seasonal variations, it still offers substantial potential, especially from spring through autumn. With proper panel positioning and mitigation strategies for winter challenges, a solar PV system can provide significant energy benefits to residents of this New York location.
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 Fly Creek
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.729, Longitude: -74.9872 (Fly Creek, 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 Fly Creek, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fly Creek, United States (Lat/Long 42.729, -74.9872) 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 Fly Creek, 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 Fly Creek, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 36° 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 Fly Creek, 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 Fly Creek, 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 Fly Creek, United States
The area around Fly Creek, located in Otsego County, New York, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography typical of the northern Appalachian region. This part of upstate New York features gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and numerous small streams and creeks that have carved their way through the landscape over millennia.
The terrain surrounding Fly Creek is predominantly rural, with a mix of open farmland, meadows, and forested areas. The elevation in this region generally ranges from about 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea level, with some higher hills reaching up to 2,000 feet. This creates a varied landscape with subtle changes in elevation that contribute to its scenic beauty.
The nearby Susquehanna River valley influences the local topography, with many smaller tributaries, including Fly Creek itself, flowing towards this major waterway. The area also features some wetlands and small ponds, adding to the diversity of the landscape.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found on the more open, gently sloping hillsides and in broader valley areas. These locations typically offer the following advantages for solar energy production:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, which simplifies construction and panel placement
- Open areas with minimal tree cover, reducing shading issues
- South-facing slopes, which can maximize solar exposure throughout the day
- Proximity to existing infrastructure, such as roads and power lines
However, it's important to note that the region's variable topography and forested areas may limit the availability of large, contiguous spaces ideal for utility-scale solar farms. Smaller-scale installations or a series of moderately-sized solar arrays might be more feasible given the local landscape.
Before any solar development, thorough site assessments would be necessary to evaluate factors such as soil stability, drainage patterns, and potential environmental impacts. Additionally, local zoning regulations and community preferences would need to be considered, as the area's natural beauty and rural character are valued by residents and visitors alike.
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: Tuesday 6th of August 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.
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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.
