Solar PV Analysis of Manchester, United States
Manchester, New Hampshire is not the most ideal location for year-round solar energy production due to its location in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, it can still generate a decent amount of electricity from solar power.
In simple terms, during summer and spring, you can expect more electricity output from your solar panels because there's more sunlight. Specifically, during summer you could get around 5.75 kWh of electricity per day for each kW of installed solar panels and around 5.42 kWh/day in spring. On the other hand, autumn and winter have less sunlight so you'd get less energy - about 3.35kWh/day in autumn and only 2.01kWh/day in winter.
So if you're planning on getting solar panels in Manchester, they'll be most productive during spring and summer.
It's also important to note that to maximize your yearly energy production from these panels at this location; they should ideally be tilted towards the south at an angle of 38 degrees.
As for factors that could affect your solar panel performance - Manchester does experience snowfall which can cover your panels reducing their efficiency or potentially damaging them over time if not properly maintained. It also has cloudy days which could reduce sunlight reaching your panels hence lowering their output.
To counter these issues:
1) You might need to regularly clear off snow from your panels especially after heavy snowfall.
2) Consider installing a system that allows adjusting the tilt of the panel seasonally or throughout the day to capture maximum sunlight even on cloudy days.
3) Also consider using high-efficiency PV modules that perform better under lower light conditions typically found on cloudy days or during winter months.
4) Lastly ensure proper installation techniques are used to protect against any potential damage due to weather phenomena such as strong winds etc.,
Overall while not perfect, with some planning and maintenance Manchester NH can still be a good place for generating some portion of your electricity needs from solar power.
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 Manchester
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.991, Longitude: -71.4891 (Manchester, 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 Manchester, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manchester, United States (Lat/Long 42.991, -71.4891) 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, United States
Manchester, United States is located in the state of New Hampshire. The topography around Manchester is characterized by a mix of urban areas and natural landscapes, including rolling hills and low-lying valleys. It's part of the Merrimack River watershed region.
The city itself is relatively flat but surrounded by more hilly terrain to the north and west. The Merrimack River runs through it, providing some river valley areas as well.
For large scale solar PV installations, open and flat terrains are usually ideal for their setup. Therefore, considering this:
1) Unused or underutilized industrial sites within the city could be potential locations for solar PV installations.
2) Open farmland or rural land to the south and east of Manchester may also be suitable.
3) Large commercial rooftops can also serve as potential sites for solar installation.
The efficiency of a solar power system in these areas would also depend on factors like local climate (solar irradiance), weather patterns (cloud cover), regulations related to renewable energy projects etc., which should be thoroughly assessed before planning any large-scale project.
Please note that while topography plays an important role in determining suitability for installing Solar PV systems, other considerations such as environmental impact assessments, grid connectivity possibilities etc., must also be taken into account during site selection process.
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: Saturday 6th of April 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.
