Franklinville, New Jersey represents a moderately good location for year-round solar energy generation, though like most locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, it experiences significant seasonal variation in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.45 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 5.57 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.71 kWh per day per kW, while winter represents the most challenging period with only 2.25 kWh per day per kW. This winter output is less than half of the spring production and roughly one-third of summer generation, which is typical for northern temperate locations.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Franklinville, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on actual solar irradiance potential.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Franklinville area can impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation: Winter weather can cause snow to build up on solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing already-limited winter output
• Coastal humidity: The relatively close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean can create higher humidity levels that may cause atmospheric haze, reducing solar irradiance
• Deciduous tree coverage: The heavily forested nature of southern New Jersey means seasonal shading from trees can be problematic, particularly during spring and summer when solar potential is highest
• Storm systems: The region experiences nor'easters, thunderstorms, and occasional tropical weather that can create extended cloudy periods

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges:

• Proper site selection: Choose installation locations with minimal tree shading, particularly avoiding areas that will be shaded during peak sun hours (10 AM to 2 PM)
• Panel spacing and tilt: Install panels with adequate spacing to prevent snow buildup between rows and ensure the 34-degree tilt helps snow slide off naturally
• Regular maintenance: Establish a cleaning and inspection schedule to remove debris, snow, and any atmospheric deposits that accumulate on panel surfaces
• Professional tree management: Trim or remove trees that cast shadows on the solar array, especially those that interfere with spring and summer production

Overall, while Franklinville experiences the typical challenges of a northern temperate climate, proper installation and maintenance practices can help ensure reliable solar energy production throughout the year, with particularly strong performance during the warmer months.

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 Franklinville

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.6182, Longitude: -75.0757 (Franklinville, 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 Franklinville, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Franklinville, United States (Lat/Long 39.6182, -75.0757) 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 Franklinville, 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 Franklinville, 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	44° South in Autumn	55° 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 Franklinville, 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 Franklinville, 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 Franklinville, United States

Topographical Features Around Franklinville

Franklinville sits within the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of southern New Jersey, characterized by relatively flat terrain with gentle rolling hills and minimal elevation changes. The landscape consists primarily of sandy soils and pine forests typical of the New Jersey Pine Barrens ecosystem. The area features low-lying topography with elevations generally ranging from 50 to 150 feet above sea level, creating an environment with minimal shading from dramatic elevation changes.

The region displays a mixture of forested areas, agricultural fields, and scattered residential developments. Small streams and wetland areas weave throughout the landscape, contributing to the natural drainage patterns. The terrain slopes very gradually toward the southeast, following the general drainage toward the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean watersheds.

Soil Composition and Land Characteristics

The underlying geology consists of unconsolidated sediments including sand, silt, and clay deposits from ancient marine and river systems. These sandy soils provide excellent drainage but may require careful consideration for foundation work and equipment installation. The relatively stable ground conditions, combined with the flat topography, create favorable conditions for construction activities.

Much of the surrounding landscape contains mixed pine and oak forests interspersed with cleared agricultural areas and former farmland in various stages of succession. Open fields and meadows scattered throughout the region provide potential sites with minimal tree clearing requirements.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar installations would be the cleared agricultural fields and open grasslands found throughout the surrounding countryside. These areas offer the dual advantages of minimal vegetation clearing requirements and relatively flat terrain that simplifies installation logistics. Former farmland that has been taken out of agricultural production presents particularly attractive opportunities, as these sites typically feature good road access and existing electrical infrastructure nearby.

Areas to the west and southwest of Franklinville show promise due to their combination of open terrain and proximity to existing transmission lines. The gently rolling hills in these directions provide natural drainage while maintaining the flat characteristics necessary for efficient solar panel arrays. Sites located on slightly elevated ground offer advantages for drainage and reduced risk of flooding during heavy precipitation events.

The region's relatively sparse population density means that large contiguous parcels of suitable land remain available without the complications of dense residential development. Areas along major transportation corridors would provide logistical advantages for construction and maintenance activities while maintaining access to electrical grid infrastructure necessary for power transmission.

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.