Livingston Manor, New York is a pretty decent place to generate solar energy throughout the year, although there are better times than others. In simple terms, the amount of electricity you could produce from solar panels changes with the seasons.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity - around 5.80 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar panels installed in summer and about 5.23 in spring. This means that these are the best times of year to generate solar power at this location because longer daylight hours allow for more sun exposure.
In autumn, your production would drop to around 3.28 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt installed as days get shorter and sunlight becomes less intense.
Winter sees the lowest production levels with only about 1.91 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt installed due to shorter daylight hours and often cloudier weather.
To make sure your panels are working as efficiently as possible all year round at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing southward which will help maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout different seasons.
There might be some local factors that could affect how much electricity you can produce from your solar panels here though. For example, Livingston Manor experiences heavy snowfall during winter months which could cover up your solar panels and reduce their efficiency unless cleared regularly.
So if you're considering installing solar panels here it's important that they're placed where snow can't pile up on them or where it can easily be brushed off without damaging them; perhaps even consider an automated cleaning system if necessary.
Also keep in mind any potential shading issues like tall trees or buildings nearby which may block sunlight especially during lower sun angles in winter months.
Overall though while there might be some challenges particularly over winter months with lower output levels and potential snowfall issues; generally speaking Livingston Manor is a good place for solar energy production especially during spring and summer months.
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 Livingston Manor
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.8778, Longitude: -74.827 (Livingston Manor, 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 Livingston Manor, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Livingston Manor, United States (Lat/Long 41.8778, -74.827) 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 Livingston Manor, 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 Livingston Manor, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° 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 Livingston Manor, 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 Livingston Manor, 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 Livingston Manor, United States
Livingston Manor is located in Sullivan County, New York. The topography of the area is characterized by rolling hills and valleys. It's part of the Catskill Mountains region, which features a mix of forested areas and open fields.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, you would typically look for flat or gently sloping land that receives abundant sunlight throughout the year. Areas that are not heavily forested would also be preferred to reduce costs associated with tree removal and to maximize sun exposure.
In this context, open fields around Livingston Manor could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installation. However, it's important to consider other factors such as proximity to power grid connections and potential environmental impacts before deciding on a specific site.
Also remember that while New York has decent solar resources overall, it does not receive as much annual sunshine as some other states like California or Arizona. Therefore, the efficiency of solar panels might be slightly lower but can still produce sufficient power given a larger installation area.
As always with such projects involving significant changes in land use and potential environmental impact (even if green), local regulations must be checked thoroughly along with community approval processes.
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 22nd of March 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.




