Keene, New Hampshire presents a moderately favorable location for solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of the Northern Temperate Zone climate.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 5.71 kWh per day per kilowatt of installed solar capacity, making it the peak production season. Spring follows closely behind with 5.34 kWh per day, representing nearly equivalent energy generation potential. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.24 kWh per day, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.87 kWh per day. This winter output represents less than one-third of summer production, highlighting the importance of planning for seasonal energy storage or grid tie-in arrangements.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at this Keene location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for daily solar potential.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental factors in Keene can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Heavy snow accumulation during winter months can completely block solar panels
• Ice formation creates additional barriers to sunlight and potential structural stress
• Frequent cloud cover during autumn and winter reduces available solar radiation
• Deciduous trees common in New Hampshire can create seasonal shading issues

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Panels should be mounted at steeper angles when possible to encourage natural snow shedding, though this must be balanced against the optimal 37-degree angle for maximum annual output. Installing heating elements or snow removal systems can help maintain panel accessibility during heavy winter weather. Proper spacing between panel rows prevents snow buildup from creating shadows on adjacent panels. Site selection should carefully consider surrounding vegetation, ensuring adequate clearance from trees that will leaf out in spring and summer. Even bare winter branches can create significant shading patterns that reduce production during already challenging low-light months. Regular maintenance scheduling becomes crucial, particularly for snow and debris removal during winter months when every available hour of sunlight becomes valuable for energy generation.

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 Keene

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.9285, Longitude: -72.2776 (Keene, 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 Keene, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Keene, United States (Lat/Long 42.9285, -72.2776) 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 Keene, 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 Keene, 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	58° 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 Keene, 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 Keene, 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 Keene, United States

Topography Around Keene, New Hampshire

Keene sits in the Monadnock Region of southwestern New Hampshire, nestled within the Connecticut River Valley. The city occupies a relatively flat valley floor at approximately 500 feet above sea level, surrounded by rolling hills and low mountains that are characteristic of New England's glacially-carved landscape. The Ashuelot River flows through the area, creating fertile bottomlands and gentle terrain that has historically supported agriculture and development.

The surrounding region features a mix of forested hills, agricultural fields, and developed areas. To the east and southeast, the terrain gradually rises toward Mount Monadnock, one of New Hampshire's most prominent peaks. The western areas slope gently toward the Connecticut River Valley, while northern and southern approaches present more varied topography with a combination of ridgelines, valleys, and plateaus.

Much of the immediate area around Keene consists of cleared or partially cleared land that was once used for farming. These areas now contain a mixture of active agricultural operations, abandoned fields in various stages of forest succession, and residential or commercial development. The underlying bedrock is primarily composed of metamorphic rocks, with glacial deposits creating relatively level terrain in many locations.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Keene would be the relatively flat agricultural fields and cleared areas within a few miles of the city center. These locations offer several advantages including minimal grading requirements, existing road access, and proximity to electrical infrastructure. The valley floor areas extending north and south of Keene provide particularly suitable conditions due to their gentle slopes and southern exposure.

Former agricultural lands that have been cleared but are no longer actively farmed present excellent opportunities for solar development. These areas typically have established access roads and are often zoned for industrial or commercial use. The terrain in these locations generally requires minimal site preparation, reducing installation costs and environmental impact.

Areas to the west of Keene, toward the Connecticut River, offer additional potential sites with favorable topography. The terrain here is generally level to gently sloping, with good southern exposure and minimal shading from surrounding hills. These locations also benefit from proximity to existing transmission infrastructure along the river corridor.

The rolling hills and ridgelines surrounding the valley present more challenging conditions for large-scale installations due to steeper slopes, potential shading issues, and more complex grading requirements. However, some south-facing slopes at moderate elevations could still be viable for solar development, particularly where existing clearings provide adequate space and access.

Transportation access represents another crucial factor for site selection. Areas near State Route 9, Route 10, and other major roadways would facilitate construction and maintenance activities. The proximity to Keene's existing electrical grid infrastructure also makes nearby locations more economically attractive for interconnection purposes.

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.