Solar PV Analysis of Havertown, United States
Havertown, Pennsylvania, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with summer being the most productive period and winter the least.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in Havertown, with an impressive 6.47 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.62 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.79 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.32 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Havertown's location is particularly favorable for solar energy generation from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Havertown, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 35-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for seasonal variations in the sun's position.
Environmental Considerations
While Havertown's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended 35-degree angle helps shed snow more easily.
- Tree coverage: Nearby trees or buildings may cast shadows on panels, particularly during winter when the sun is lower in the sky. Careful placement and potential trimming of obstructions can mitigate this issue.
To address these factors, consider using snow-resistant panel coatings and implementing a regular cleaning schedule. Additionally, conducting a thorough site assessment before installation can help identify and mitigate potential shading issues.
Overall, while Havertown experiences seasonal fluctuations in solar energy potential, its location still offers a viable opportunity for solar PV installations, especially when optimized for year-round performance.
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 Havertown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9656, Longitude: -75.3079 (Havertown, 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 35° South in Havertown, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Havertown, United States (Lat/Long 39.9656, -75.3079) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Havertown, 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 Havertown, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Havertown, 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 Havertown, 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 Havertown, United States
The topography around Havertown, Pennsylvania, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Piedmont region. This area, located just west of Philadelphia, features a mix of suburban development and pockets of woodland. The terrain is generally mild, with elevations ranging from about 200 to 400 feet above sea level.
The landscape is dotted with small streams and creeks that flow through the area, creating subtle changes in elevation. Havertown itself sits on a slight rise, with the land gradually sloping down towards the east and southeast. To the west and northwest, the terrain becomes slightly more hilly, but still maintains a relatively gentle profile.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The ideal locations would be relatively flat or gently sloping, with good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Given the suburban nature of the region, finding large, open spaces may be challenging.
Some potentially suitable areas for solar PV development might include:
- Former industrial sites or brownfields to the south and southeast, closer to Philadelphia
- Large commercial properties or shopping centers with expansive rooftops or parking lots
- Open farmland to the west and northwest of Havertown, where the landscape becomes more rural
- Unused or underutilized municipal lands, such as closed landfills or water treatment facilities
It's important to note that while the topography around Havertown is generally favorable for solar installations, the availability of large, contiguous parcels of land may be limited due to the area's suburban development. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and community concerns.
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: Wednesday 9th of October 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.
