Gray, Maine, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. This location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which affects the overall efficiency of solar PV systems throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.79 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.37 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent opportunities for solar energy production, with long daylight hours and generally favorable weather conditions.

Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output, dropping to 3.30 kWh/day. This reduction is due to shorter days and increased cloud cover typical of the season. Winter presents the biggest challenge, with production plummeting to just 1.96 kWh/day. The combination of short days, low sun angle, and potential snow cover significantly impacts solar generation during these months.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Gray, panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Gray:

• Snow accumulation in winter can cover panels, reducing output
• Frequent cloud cover, especially in autumn and winter
• Potential shading from deciduous trees, which may block sunlight in summer

To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off, use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading, and ensure proper tree management around the solar array. Regular panel cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance.

While Gray, Maine, may not be ideal for year-round solar production due to its harsh winters and variable weather, it still offers significant potential, especially during spring and summer months. With proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable renewable energy option for this 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 Gray

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.8946, Longitude: -70.3479 (Gray, 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 38° South in Gray, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gray, United States (Lat/Long 43.8946, -70.3479) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Gray, 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 Gray, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
27° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	58° South in Winter	37° 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 Gray, 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 Gray, 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 Gray, United States

The topography around Gray, United States, located at latitude 43.8946 and longitude -70.3479, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, small valleys, and relatively flat areas. This region in Maine features a landscape shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in a diverse terrain with numerous lakes, ponds, and streams scattered throughout the area. The elevation in and around Gray varies but generally ranges from about 200 to 400 feet above sea level. The land is predominantly covered by a mix of deciduous and coniferous forests, interspersed with open fields, farmland, and residential areas. The Little Sebago Lake lies to the northwest of Gray, while several smaller bodies of water can be found in the vicinity.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstructions. Based on the topography of the region, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be found in the open fields and cleared farmland surrounding Gray. These areas often provide the necessary space and exposure to sunlight required for efficient solar energy production. Additionally, some of the gently sloping hillsides facing south or southwest could potentially be utilized for solar arrays, as they would receive optimal sunlight throughout the day. However, it's important to note that the forested nature of much of the surrounding landscape may limit the available space for large-scale solar installations without significant land clearing. Any potential solar projects would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation efforts and local land use regulations. Furthermore, while the topography around Gray offers some suitable areas for solar PV, the region's latitude and climate should also be considered. Maine's northern location means it receives less intense sunlight compared to more southern states, which could impact the overall efficiency and output of solar installations in the area.

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.