Kearny, New Jersey, located at latitude 40.7643° North and longitude 74.148° West in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Kearny demonstrate considerable differences in energy output across the four seasons. Summer provides the highest productivity with an average of 6.03 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 5.43 kWh/day, while autumn yields a more modest 3.48 kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at just 2.12 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern indicates that Kearny's solar potential peaks during late spring through summer (approximately May through August), when panels can produce nearly three times the electricity compared to winter months. The substantial drop in winter production is typical for this northern latitude location.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Kearny, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round electricity generation is 35 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing the seasonal variations in sun elevation throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors could potentially affect solar production in Kearny:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce output if panels become covered, requiring either manual clearing or installation of panels at steeper angles to promote natural snow-shedding
• Proximity to industrial areas in the greater New York metropolitan region may lead to increased particulate matter in the air, which can gradually reduce panel efficiency if not regularly cleaned
• Coastal fog and cloud cover from the nearby Atlantic Ocean and Hudson River can periodically reduce solar irradiance
• Potential shading from nearby buildings or trees, particularly in more densely developed areas

Preventative measures to maximize production include regular panel cleaning (2-4 times annually), installing micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading, elevating panels sufficiently to avoid snow buildup, and conducting a thorough shade analysis before installation to optimize panel placement.

Overall, while not offering the exceptional solar potential of southwestern U.S. locations, Kearny provides adequate conditions for solar PV installations, with particularly strong production during the summer half of 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 Kearny

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7643, Longitude: -74.148 (Kearny, 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 Kearny, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kearny, United States (Lat/Long 40.7643, -74.148) 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 Kearny, 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 Kearny, 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 Kearny, 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 Kearny, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Kearny, United States

Topography of Kearny, New Jersey

Kearny is situated in Hudson County, New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. The topography of Kearny is characterized by its position at the confluence of the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, with significant portions of the town located on what was historically marshland. The eastern section of Kearny sits on the western edge of the Meadowlands, a large ecosystem of wetlands, while the western portion rises to form a ridge known locally as "Kearny Uplands." The elevation in Kearny ranges from near sea level in the eastern meadowlands to approximately 60-70 feet (18-21 meters) above sea level on the western ridge. This modest elevation change creates a gently sloping landscape across the township. The Meadowlands portion features low-lying, flat terrain that has been significantly altered through human development, with many areas having been filled or drained for industrial and commercial use. The western upland section of Kearny presents a slightly more varied topography, with gradual slopes and small hills providing some relief from the flatness of the eastern portions. This area is more densely developed with residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.

Regional Topographical Context

Kearny is part of the larger Hackensack River watershed and is positioned within the Piedmont physiographic province, though it sits near the boundary with the Coastal Plain. The surrounding region features a mix of urban development, industrial zones, and remaining wetland areas. To the east lies Jersey City and the Hudson River, with Manhattan beyond. The terrain in this direction becomes increasingly urbanized with little natural topography remaining visible beneath the dense development. To the west, the land gradually rises toward the Watchung Mountains, a series of three ridges that run roughly northeast to southwest through northern New Jersey. North of Kearny, the Passaic River valley extends through increasingly suburban landscapes, while to the south, the topography remains relatively flat as it extends toward Newark Bay and the Arthur Kill waterway.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

When considering potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations near Kearny, several factors beyond just topography must be considered, including existing land use, environmental constraints, and access to transmission infrastructure. The former industrial areas in and around Kearny present perhaps the most promising opportunities for solar development. These brownfield sites often feature large, flat areas with minimal shading from natural features and are already disturbed, meaning solar development would have limited additional environmental impact. The Kearny Meadowlands zone contains numerous such sites, including former landfills and abandoned industrial properties. Specifically, the Keegan Landfill area, which has undergone closure and capping, represents a potential opportunity for solar development. Such closed landfills have become increasingly popular sites for solar arrays as they offer large, elevated areas with good sun exposure and few competing land uses. The flat rooftops of the numerous warehouses and industrial buildings in South Kearny and along the Hackensack River also present opportunities for commercial-scale solar installations, though these would likely be smaller than true utility-scale projects. Areas less suited for large-scale solar development include the more densely populated residential sections on the western ridge of Kearny, where available land is limited and parcel sizes are small. Additionally, the remaining undisturbed portions of the Meadowlands wetlands would likely face significant environmental restrictions that would preclude large-scale solar development. Beyond Kearny proper, the broader Meadowlands region contains additional former industrial sites and landfills that might accommodate solar arrays, particularly in areas like Lyndhurst, North Arlington, and Secaucus. These locations share similar topographical advantages: flat terrain with minimal natural shading obstacles and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure in this heavily developed metropolitan region.

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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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.