Solar PV Analysis of Glastonbury, United States
Glastonbury, Connecticut, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into its suitability for photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Glastonbury fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.84 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 5.62 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.51 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.07 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Glastonbury's solar potential is strongest from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production. However, the substantial drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during colder months.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed-panel installations in Glastonbury, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 36 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Glastonbury's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Tree coverage may cast shadows on panels, particularly in residential areas
To mitigate these issues, installers should consider using snow-shedding panel designs and carefully assess potential shading from nearby trees or structures. Regular panel maintenance, including snow removal and cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance year-round.
Overall, Glastonbury's location offers a good opportunity for solar energy generation, particularly during the warmer months. While winter production is notably lower, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help maximize the system's efficiency throughout the year.
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 Glastonbury
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.7066, Longitude: -72.5745 (Glastonbury, 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 36° South in Glastonbury, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Glastonbury, United States (Lat/Long 41.7066, -72.5745) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Glastonbury, 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 Glastonbury, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 Glastonbury, 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 Glastonbury, 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 Glastonbury, United States
The area around Glastonbury, Connecticut (located at 41.7066°N, 72.5745°W) is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This region is part of the Connecticut River Valley, which features a combination of low-lying floodplains and modest elevations.
Glastonbury itself sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, with the land gradually rising as you move eastward from the river. The western part of town, closer to the river, is generally flatter, while the eastern sections become more hilly. The town's elevation ranges from about 10 feet above sea level near the river to around 800 feet in the eastern highlands.
The surrounding landscape includes a mix of suburban developments, agricultural fields, and forested areas. Small streams and brooks crisscross the region, contributing to its gently undulating topography. The overall terrain is not particularly rugged or mountainous, but rather consists of subtle changes in elevation that create a pleasant, varied landscape.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter, more open spaces. These could include:
- Former agricultural lands or fallow fields, particularly in the western parts of Glastonbury or neighboring towns like East Hartford or Manchester.
- Large, flat commercial or industrial properties, such as those found in some of the more developed areas of nearby Hartford or East Hartford.
- Gently sloping hillsides with southern exposure, which can be found scattered throughout the region, especially in the eastern parts of Glastonbury and neighboring towns like Marlborough or Hebron.
When considering locations for solar installations, it's important to look for areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings, good sun exposure (preferably south-facing), and relatively easy access to existing electrical infrastructure. The generally open nature of the Connecticut River Valley provides numerous potential sites that could meet these criteria, making the region around Glastonbury potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV development.
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: Monday 9th 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
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