Solar PV Analysis of Franklin Square, United States
Franklin Square, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a varied landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. The location's potential for generating electricity via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems fluctuates significantly with the changing seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.15 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.69 kWh per day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.69 kWh daily. Winter experiences the lowest output, with just 2.20 kWh per day.
These figures highlight the substantial variation in solar energy potential across the year. The peak production period spans from late spring through early fall, making this an ideal time for maximizing solar energy generation in Franklin Square.
Optimal Panel Installation
To achieve the best year-round performance, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 35-degree angle facing south. This tilt optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Franklin Square's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Winter accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences partly cloudy conditions, which can impact production.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform well in lower light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance.
Overall, Franklin Square presents a good opportunity for solar energy production, with strong potential during the warmer months offsetting the reduced winter output. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to the area's energy needs.
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 Franklin Square
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7033, Longitude: -73.6718 (Franklin Square, 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 Franklin Square, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Franklin Square, United States (Lat/Long 40.7033, -73.6718) 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 Franklin Square, 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 Franklin Square, 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 Franklin Square, 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 Franklin Square, 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 Franklin Square, United States
The area around Franklin Square, located in Nassau County, New York, is characterized by a relatively flat topography typical of Long Island's coastal plain. This region, situated just east of New York City, features a gentle, gradual slope that descends from the center of Long Island towards the southern shore.
The terrain in and around Franklin Square is predominantly level, with only slight variations in elevation. The landscape is mostly urbanized, consisting of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and small pockets of green spaces. There are no significant hills, mountains, or deep valleys in the immediate vicinity.
To the north of Franklin Square, the land gradually rises towards the center of Long Island, forming what is known as the Harbor Hill terminal moraine. This subtle increase in elevation is barely noticeable in everyday life but contributes to the overall drainage patterns of the area.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
The densely populated nature of Franklin Square and its surrounding areas presents challenges for finding large, open spaces suitable for solar farms. However, some potential locations for solar PV development could include:
- Former industrial sites or brownfields in nearby towns that have been cleared and are awaiting redevelopment.
- Large commercial rooftops, such as those on shopping centers, warehouses, or office complexes in the broader Long Island region.
- Parking lots of major facilities, where solar canopies could be installed over existing parking spaces.
- Agricultural areas further east on Long Island, where solar installations could potentially be integrated with farming practices.
It's important to note that while the flat topography of the region is generally favorable for solar installations, the high population density and limited available land in the immediate vicinity of Franklin Square may necessitate looking at alternative approaches, such as distributed solar systems on residential and commercial rooftops, rather than large-scale solar farms.
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: Sunday 29th of September 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.
