Solar PV Analysis of Lockport, United States
The location of Lockport, New York, in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States is decent but not perfect for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies by season.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 6.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. This is a good amount and makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production at this location.
In autumn, this drops to around 3.06 kWh/day per kW; and in winter it decreases even further to about 1.71 kWh/day per kW which isn't very high but still contributes some power.
Spring sees a significant rise again with around 5.19 kWh/day per kW making it another good season for solar energy generation here.
For optimal results at this location, fixed panel installations should ideally be tilted at an angle of 37 degrees facing southwards to maximize total year-round production from the PV system.
There are certain factors that could affect solar production in Lockport such as weather conditions and topography features like hills or trees that could shade panels reducing their efficiency significantly.
Lockport experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall which could cover panels reducing their ability to produce power effectively during these months unless cleared regularly.
Additionally, if there are tall buildings or trees around your property they might block sunlight reaching your panels especially during mornings and evenings when the sun is lower in the sky or during winter when days are shorter.
Preventative measures include choosing a suitable installation site free from shading as much as possible; installing snow guards on roofs where panels are mounted to prevent snow accumulation; regular maintenance including cleaning off any accumulated dust or debris on panels; monitoring system performance regularly etc., all help ensure greater energy production from your PV system despite these challenges.
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 Lockport
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.1721, Longitude: -78.6913 (Lockport, 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 Lockport, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lockport, United States (Lat/Long 43.1721, -78.6913) 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 Lockport, 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 Lockport, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Lockport, 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 Lockport, 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 Lockport, United States
Lockport, located in the state of New York, United States, is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It is primarily a residential area with some industrial zones. The region experiences moderate rainfall and has a relatively cold climate due to its northern location.
The topography around Lockport includes agricultural lands which are generally flat, making them potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Additionally, there are several open spaces in the urban areas that could be utilized for this purpose as well.
However, it's important to note that while topography is one factor in determining suitability for solar power generation, other factors such as local climate conditions (amount of sunlight received), land use regulations and environmental considerations also play crucial roles.
Considering the geographical location of Lockport – it receives less sunlight compared to more southern locations – hence efficiency may be lower than optimal. However advances in technology mean that solar power can still be an effective source even in less sunny climates.
Areas like Niagara County where Lockport city is located have been investing into renewable energy projects including solar farms so there does seem to be potential for largescale solar PV installations despite the climatic limitations.
To identify specific sites best suited for large-scale solar PV would require more detailed study including GIS mapping and surveying local land use laws and regulations.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 15th 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.
