Solar PV Analysis of Groton, United States
The location at Groton, Connecticut, United States is fairly good for generating energy through solar panels year-round. During the summer and spring seasons, you can expect a high amount of energy output from your solar panels. Specifically, in the summer you can expect around 5.84 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power (this is like getting almost 6 hours worth of full power from a small heater). In the spring season, this figure drops slightly to about 5.62 kWh/day.
However during autumn and winter months, this output will drop significantly due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. In autumn you might get around 3.51 kWh/day while in winter it could go down to just over 2 kWh/day.
In order to maximize your total yearly production from solar photovoltaics (PV), if you're installing fixed panels they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing southwards.
As far as local factors that could affect your solar production in Groton are concerned; weather conditions such as snowfall during winters or heavy rainfall throughout the year could temporarily reduce your system's productivity by blocking sunlight reaching the panel surfaces. Also trees or buildings causing shade on your installation site would also decrease productivity.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges; consider regular maintenance including cleaning off any snow or debris accumulation on panel surfaces promptly after such weather events for unobstructed sunlight exposure again ASAP; moreover try choosing an installation site with minimal shading issues throughout different times of day/year if possible.
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 Groton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.3625, Longitude: -72.0449 (Groton, 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 Groton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Groton, United States (Lat/Long 41.3625, -72.0449) 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 Groton, 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 Groton, 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 | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Groton, 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 Groton, 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 Groton, United States
Groton, United States is located in the state of Connecticut. The topography of Groton and its surrounding areas is characterized by coastal plains with rolling hills and valleys. It has a mix of forested areas, residential zones, and open spaces.
The city is located near the coast which means it's relatively flat but there are some hilly parts as well. The region also includes several bodies of water including rivers, lakes, and Long Island Sound to the south.
Regarding solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, large-scale projects require vast expanses of relatively flat land for optimal efficiency. Considering this factor:
1. Open lands: Large tracts of open or unused land within or around Groton would be ideal for such installations.
2. Agricultural lands: If compatible with existing use, agricultural lands can host dual-use solar PV systems that allow farming activities to continue while producing renewable energy.
3. Brownfield sites: These are previously developed sites that may have been contaminated with hazardous substances or pollutants but can be remediated for use as solar farms.
4. Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or industrial facilities in Groton could potentially accommodate rooftop solar panels.
It's important to consider other factors like sunlight exposure (solar irradiance), local climate conditions (like frequency of cloud cover), proximity to power transmission lines, zoning regulations among others when selecting suitable locations for large-scale solar PV projects.
Lastly, any plan should involve consultation with local communities and stakeholders to ensure minimal environmental impact and maximum social benefit from such initiatives.
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: Thursday 27th 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.
