Solar PV Analysis of Greenfield, United States
Greenfield, Massachusetts is a decent place to generate solar energy year-round. However, the amount of electricity you can produce changes with the seasons.
In simple terms, for every kilowatt of solar energy equipment installed at this location, you can expect to generate about 5.73 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer and 5.39 kWh/day in Spring which are pretty good numbers. This means that these two seasons are ideal times of the year for generating solar power.
On the other hand, production drops significantly during Autumn and Winter where you would get only about 3.29 kWh/day and 1.92 kWh/day respectively from each kW of installed solar paneling.
To make sure your panels work as efficiently as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 37 degrees facing south if they're installed permanently without any moving parts.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how much sun your panels get like tall trees or buildings blocking sunlight especially during winter when shadows are longer due to shorter daylight hours.
The weather could also play a role because Greenfield is known for its cold winters with heavy snowfall which can cover up your panels reducing their efficiency drastically until cleared off again.
So when installing your solar setup it's important to choose a spot that gets maximum exposure to sunlight all through the day and all through the year while avoiding any potential obstructions like trees or structures nearby if possible.
If unavoidable obstructions exist then considering movable-panel installations instead of fixed ones may help maximize sun exposure throughout different times in a day or across different seasons even though it might cost more initially but would pay off over time by producing more electricity overall.
As for dealing with snowfall on your panels; one solution could be installing them at steeper angles so snow slides off easily by itself but this would reduce their efficiency slightly since they won't be facing directly towards the sun anymore. Alternatively, you can manually brush off any snowfall from your panels but that would require more maintenance effort especially during heavy snowfall seasons.
To summarize, while Greenfield is not the most ideal place for solar energy production due to its seasonal and weather-related challenges; with careful planning and proper installation techniques it's still very possible to generate a good amount of clean renewable energy from solar power in 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 Greenfield
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.6012, Longitude: -72.6226 (Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greenfield, United States (Lat/Long 42.6012, -72.6226) 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 Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, United States
Greenfield is located in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, United States. The topography around Greenfield can be described as a mix of flat and hilly terrain with some areas covered by forests. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River.
The region experiences a humid continental climate which means it has relatively hot summers and cold winters. As such, solar PV would work well throughout much of the year, especially during summer months.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat terrains are typically preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. Therefore, open fields or agricultural lands around Greenfield could be suitable for large-scale solar PV projects if they are not being used for farming activities.
Additionally, commercial or industrial rooftops within the city could also provide suitable locations for smaller scale photovoltaic panels installations.
However, any proposed project would need to consider local zoning laws and regulations as well as potential environmental impacts before proceeding. It's also important to note that while Massachusetts does get enough sun to make solar power viable, it's not as optimal as locations closer to the equator with more consistent sunlight year-round.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 28th of June 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.
