Solar PV Analysis of Jamaica Plain, United States
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, which is located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, is a decent location for year-round energy generation through solar PV. The amount of electricity you can get from every kW of installed solar varies according to season. In summer and spring, you'd get around 5.75kWh/day and 5.42kWh/day respectively; these are ideal times due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure. During autumn and winter, the output drops to 3.35kWh/day and 2.01kWh/day respectively due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 37 degrees South would be ideal as it maximizes total year-round production from solar PV by aligning them directly with the sun's path across the sky.
That said, there could be factors that might affect solar production in Jamaica Plain such as weather conditions (like snow or fog), environmental elements (like tall trees casting shadows), or local topography (like hills blocking sunlight). These can reduce sunlight exposure on your panels thereby lowering their efficiency.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regularly clean your panels especially after heavy snowfall or dust storms.
2) Trim any tall trees nearby that may cast shadows on your panels.
3) Consider installing trackers that adjust panel direction throughout the day following the sun's path for maximum exposure.
4) If hills are an issue, consider installing your system on a raised structure if possible.
In general though, while there may be seasonal variations in output due to natural factors like changing weather patterns or daylight hours - overall Jamaica Plain still provides a good environment for generating solar power all year round with appropriate installation measures taken into account.
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 Jamaica Plain
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.312, Longitude: -71.1081 (Jamaica Plain, 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 Jamaica Plain, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jamaica Plain, United States (Lat/Long 42.312, -71.1081) 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 Jamaica Plain, 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 Jamaica Plain, 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 | 35° 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 Jamaica Plain, 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 Jamaica Plain, 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 Jamaica Plain, United States
Jamaica Plain is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. The area features a mix of rolling hills and flat land, with numerous parks and green spaces. It's surrounded by the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Roslindale, Brookline, Mission Hill and the Arnold Arboretum.
The topography of Jamaica Plain is not particularly mountainous or hilly compared to other regions in New England. This makes it relatively suitable for solar PV installations. However, considering it's an urban area with significant building development, available space might be an issue.
Therefore, large-scale solar PV installations would be best suited for open spaces such as parks or unused lands nearby that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. The Arnold Arboretum or Franklin Park could potentially be feasible locations given their size and openness.
However, these are public recreational areas so any installation would need to consider potential impacts on the environment and community use. Otherwise rooftops of larger buildings (commercial/industrial) could also be considered for smaller-scale solar panel installations.
Please note that this is a general analysis based on topography only; actual suitability would depend on many factors including local climate conditions (solar irradiance), regulations & permissions from local authorities/environmental bodies etc.
For precise assessment professional consultation from a renewable energy consultant or firm specializing in solar energy should ideally be sought who can conduct detailed feasibility study incorporating all relevant factors.
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 23rd of February 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.
