Solar PV Analysis of Haverhill, United States
Haverhill, Massachusetts, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into its potential for renewable energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.75 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.42 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.
Autumn sees a significant decrease in output, with 3.35 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest production at 2.01 kWh/day, reflecting the challenges of shorter days and potentially snow-covered panels.
Optimal Panel Positioning
For fixed panel installations in Haverhill, the ideal tilt angle is 37 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated to maximize year-round energy production, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Haverhill's location is generally suitable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at a steeper angle or using snow-shedding systems can help mitigate this issue.
- New England's variable weather patterns, including occasional severe storms, may impact solar production. Robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels are recommended.
Despite these challenges, with proper installation and maintenance, Haverhill can effectively harness solar energy, particularly during the productive spring and summer months. The substantial difference between summer and winter output highlights the importance of supplementary energy sources or storage solutions for year-round reliability.
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 Haverhill
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.7853, Longitude: -71.0714 (Haverhill, 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 Haverhill, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Haverhill, United States (Lat/Long 42.7853, -71.0714) 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 Haverhill, 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 Haverhill, 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 Haverhill, 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 Haverhill, 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 Haverhill, United States
The topography around Haverhill, Massachusetts, in the United States, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, river valleys, and some flat areas. Haverhill is situated along the Merrimack River, which has shaped much of the local landscape. The city itself is nestled in a relatively flat area near the river, but as you move away from the downtown area, the terrain becomes more varied.
To the north and west of Haverhill, you'll find more hilly terrain with some wooded areas. These hills are part of the larger Appalachian Mountain system, though they are much less dramatic in this region compared to further north. To the south and east, the landscape tends to be flatter, with some low-lying areas that were historically used for agriculture.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to consider. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat, open spaces with good sun exposure. Given the topography around Haverhill, the following areas might be most suitable:
1. The flatter areas to the south and east of Haverhill would likely be the best candidates for large-scale solar PV. These areas often have fewer obstructions and more consistent terrain, which makes installation and maintenance easier.
2. Former agricultural lands that are no longer in use could be prime locations for solar farms. These areas are typically already cleared and relatively flat, reducing the need for extensive site preparation.
3. Some of the gentler hillsides to the north and west might also be suitable, particularly if they have a southern exposure. While hilly terrain can sometimes complicate installation, slopes facing south can actually improve solar energy capture.
It's important to note that while topography is a crucial factor in selecting sites for solar PV installations, other considerations such as proximity to power infrastructure, local zoning laws, and environmental impact assessments would also play significant roles in determining the most suitable locations.
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 23rd 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
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.
