Solar PV Analysis of Jericho, United States
Jericho, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a varied landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy output, which impact the overall effectiveness of solar PV systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.15 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.69 kWh/day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy harvesting, with longer days and more direct sunlight.
Autumn sees a noticeable decline in production, dropping to 3.69 kWh/day. Winter experiences the most significant reduction, with daily output falling to just 2.20 kWh per kW installed. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the challenges of maintaining consistent energy production year-round in Jericho.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed panel installations in Jericho should be tilted at a 35-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, compensating for the sun's changing position throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors can impact solar production in Jericho:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional severe weather events, such as hurricanes or nor'easters, may pose risks to solar installations
To mitigate these challenges, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow shedding and using robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance.
Despite these considerations, Jericho's location offers good potential for solar energy production, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper planning and installation techniques, a solar PV system can provide significant energy benefits throughout the year.
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 Jericho
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7864, Longitude: -73.5408 (Jericho, 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 Jericho, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jericho, United States (Lat/Long 40.7864, -73.5408) 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 Jericho, 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 Jericho, 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 | 45° South in Autumn | 56° 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 Jericho, 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 Jericho, 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 Jericho, United States
The area around Jericho, New York (located at 40.7864° N, 73.5408° W) is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of Long Island's North Shore. This region is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which features low-lying land with gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes. The topography is largely the result of glacial activity during the last Ice Age, leaving behind a landscape of subtle hills, shallow valleys, and scattered wetlands.
Jericho itself sits at an elevation of about 180 feet (55 meters) above sea level. The surrounding area gradually slopes down towards the north, where it meets the Long Island Sound. To the south, the land remains fairly level for several miles before gradually rising towards the center of Long Island, forming what's known as the Harbor Hill Moraine.
While the immediate vicinity of Jericho is largely suburban, with residential and commercial developments, there are still pockets of open space and farmland in the broader region. These areas, particularly to the east and southeast of Jericho, might be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
When considering locations for large-scale solar PV near Jericho, the most suitable areas would likely be:
- Former agricultural lands or fallow fields to the east and southeast of Jericho, where there's more open space and less dense development.
- Brownfield sites or former industrial areas that are no longer in use, which could be repurposed for solar energy production.
- Large commercial or industrial rooftops in nearby business parks or shopping centers, which could accommodate significant solar arrays without requiring additional land use.
It's important to note that while the topography around Jericho is generally favorable for solar PV installations, with its flat terrain and minimal shading from natural features, the high population density and suburban character of much of the area may limit the availability of suitable large-scale sites. Any potential solar projects 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: Friday 18th 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.
