Solar Energy Potential in Le Roy, New York

Le Roy, New York, located at coordinates 42.9762, -77.9888 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production that prospective solar adopters should consider. The seasonal solar production at this location shows a clear pattern. Summer months are the most productive, generating approximately 5.98 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.06 kWh/day. Autumn production drops to 3.02 kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.65 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Le Roy, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 36 degrees facing South. This specific angle optimizes the capture of available sunlight across all seasons, balancing the higher summer sun with the lower winter sun position.

Seasonal Considerations

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (a ratio of nearly 3.6 to 1) indicates that Le Roy residents should plan for significant seasonal variability. The combined spring and summer months (approximately half the year) provide excellent solar generation conditions, while autumn and especially winter months deliver considerably less energy.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several environmental factors in Le Roy can impact solar production:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce output by covering panels, requiring either manual clearing or installation of panels at steeper angles to promote snow sliding
• Le Roy's location in western New York makes it subject to lake effect cloud cover from the Great Lakes, particularly during late autumn and winter
• Occasional severe weather including thunderstorms and ice storms may temporarily impact production or potentially damage equipment if not properly installed

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Le Roy should incorporate heavy-duty mounting systems rated for local snow loads and wind conditions. Snow-shedding panel arrangements (potentially at angles steeper than the optimal 36 degrees) might be considered for winter performance, though this represents a trade-off with optimal year-round production. Additionally, micro-inverters or power optimizers can help minimize production losses when some panels are partially covered by snow or shaded. Overall, Le Roy offers good but not exceptional solar potential, with pronounced seasonal variations that make it most suitable for grid-tied systems rather than off-grid applications unless substantial battery storage is incorporated.

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 Le Roy

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.9762, Longitude: -77.9888 (Le Roy, 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 36° South in Le Roy, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Le Roy, United States (Lat/Long 42.9762, -77.9888) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Le Roy, 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 Le Roy, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
27° South in Summer	47° South in Autumn	57° 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 Le Roy, 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 Le Roy, 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 Le Roy, United States

The terrain surrounding Le Roy, New York presents a diverse topography characteristic of the western New York region. Located in Genesee County, Le Roy sits within the gently rolling landscape of the Erie-Ontario Lowlands. This physiographic province features modest elevation changes, with the terrain generally sloping northward toward Lake Ontario, which lies approximately 25 miles to the north. The immediate vicinity of Le Roy is characterized by undulating hills and shallow valleys, with elevations typically ranging between 800 and 900 feet above sea level. The landscape has been significantly shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in drumlins (elongated hills) and eskers (ridges of stratified sand and gravel) scattered throughout the region. The Oatka Creek, a tributary of the Genesee River, cuts through Le Roy, creating a small valley that adds topographic variation to the area.

Regional Topographic Features

Moving outward from Le Roy, the terrain maintains its gently rolling character with occasional steeper slopes and ravines formed by waterways. To the south, the land gradually rises toward the northern fringes of the Allegheny Plateau, with more pronounced hills and valleys becoming evident. The northern direction sees a more gradual descent toward the Lake Ontario Plain, where the terrain flattens considerably. The western portions of Genesee County maintain similar topographic characteristics to Le Roy, while eastward toward Rochester, the influence of the Genesee River becomes more prominent, with its valley creating more significant topographic relief in places.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several nearby areas present favorable conditions based on topographic considerations. The gently sloping south-facing hillsides found throughout the region offer ideal orientation for solar collection. These moderate slopes provide natural drainage while maintaining excellent solar exposure throughout the day. The relatively flat agricultural lands that dominate the landscape between Le Roy and Batavia (to the west) represent prime candidates for solar development. These areas combine favorable topography with minimal shading concerns and existing access to transportation infrastructure. Similarly, the open farmlands extending north toward Bergen and south toward Pavilion offer extensive flat to gently rolling terrain that would require minimal grading for solar array installation. Areas to potentially avoid include the steeper ravines associated with Oatka Creek and other waterways, as well as heavily forested sections that would require significant clearing. Additionally, the limited wetland areas scattered throughout the region would present regulatory challenges for development. The glacial features of the region have created numerous elevated plateaus with minimal slope that could accommodate large solar installations while having minimal visual impact on surrounding communities. These areas, often currently used for agriculture, provide the combination of favorable topography, drainage, and accessibility that large-scale solar development requires.

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.