Solar PV Analysis of Bedford, New Hampshire, United States
Bedford, New Hampshire, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar PV production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.75 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.42 kWh/day. These seasons provide ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy output.
Autumn sees a notable decrease in production, yielding 3.35 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.01 kWh/day, primarily due to shorter daylight hours and potential snow coverage.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Bedford, fixed panels should be tilted at a 38-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle accounts for the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best possible energy capture throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Bedford's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional cloudy days, particularly in autumn and winter, may impact daily output
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal energy production, consider the following preventative measures when installing solar panels:
Install panels at the recommended 38-degree tilt to promote natural snow sliding. Use high-quality, anti-reflective coatings on panels to maximize light absorption on cloudy days. Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially after snowfall, to maintain panel efficiency. Consider a ground-mounted system for easier access and maintenance during winter months.
By implementing these strategies, Bedford residents can effectively harness solar energy year-round, with peak production during the spring and summer seasons.
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 3008 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 Bedford, New Hampshire
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.9429, Longitude: -71.5222 (Bedford, New Hampshire, 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 38° South in Bedford, New Hampshire, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bedford, New Hampshire, United States (Lat/Long 42.9429, -71.5222) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Bedford, New Hampshire, 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 Bedford, New Hampshire, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° 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 Bedford, New Hampshire, 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 Bedford, New Hampshire, 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 Bedford, New Hampshire, United States
The area around Bedford, New Hampshire, located at 42.9429°N and 71.5222°W, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, small valleys, and relatively flat areas. This region is part of the New England Upland, which is known for its varied terrain shaped by ancient glacial activity.
Bedford itself sits at an elevation of around 200-300 feet above sea level. The landscape is dotted with numerous small streams and ponds, with the Merrimack River forming the eastern border of the town. To the west and northwest, the terrain becomes slightly more elevated and hilly, with some areas reaching heights of 400-500 feet.
The topography in this region is generally not extreme, with most slopes being gentle to moderate. Forest cover is significant, interspersed with cleared areas for residential, commercial, and agricultural use. The mix of open spaces and wooded areas creates a diverse landscape typical of southern New Hampshire.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter, open spaces to the south and southeast of Bedford. These areas, particularly in neighboring towns like Merrimack and Londonderry, have more expansive cleared lands that could potentially accommodate solar farms.
Ideal locations for solar PV would include:
- Former agricultural fields or pastures that are no longer in use
- Large, flat commercial or industrial zones with ample roof space
- Cleared areas near existing power infrastructure for easier grid connection
It's important to note that while the topography around Bedford is generally favorable for solar installations, factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid capacity would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar projects in the area.
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 20th of September 2024
Last Updated: Friday 20th of September 2024
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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.
