Meredith, New Hampshire, positioned at 43.6576° N, 71.5003° W, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar production capacity.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation in Meredith follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, delivering approximately 5.69 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 5.18 kWh/day production. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.11 kWh/day, while winter production drops substantially to just 1.82 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

The most favorable period for solar generation spans from late spring through early fall (approximately May through September), when longer days and higher sun angles maximize energy production. During these months, a solar installation will operate near its peak efficiency.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Meredith, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 38 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle balances seasonal variations in sun position to optimize annual energy harvest.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors specific to Meredith may impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation during New Hampshire winters can temporarily cover panels, reducing or halting production until cleared.
• Tree coverage is substantial in the region and can cast shadows on panels, particularly when the sun is lower in the sky.
• Occasional heavy cloud cover, particularly during winter months, further reduces the already diminished winter production.

Mitigation Strategies

To maximize solar energy production in Meredith, consider these preventative measures:

• Install panels with sufficient elevation and angle to promote natural snow shedding
• Conduct thorough shade analysis and tree management to minimize shadow impacts
• Consider snow removal protocols for winter months
• Use microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Regular maintenance to keep panels clean from debris, pollen, and other accumulations

While winter production is limited, the strong performance during spring and summer months makes solar viable overall. A properly designed system accounting for these local factors can still provide significant energy generation throughout the year.

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 Meredith

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.6576, Longitude: -71.5003 (Meredith, 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 Meredith, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Meredith, United States (Lat/Long 43.6576, -71.5003) 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 Meredith, 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 Meredith, 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	48° 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 Meredith, 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 Meredith, 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 Meredith, United States

The terrain surrounding Meredith, located in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, presents a varied topography characterized by rolling hills, numerous water bodies, and moderate elevation changes. Situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, Meredith occupies a landscape that was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in a mix of highlands and lowlands throughout the region. The immediate area around Meredith features elevations ranging from approximately 500 feet (152 meters) at lake level to hills reaching about 1,000 feet (305 meters) in the surrounding countryside. This undulating terrain creates a picturesque setting with many slopes facing different directions. The town itself sits in a relatively protected basin, with higher elevations extending primarily to the north and west.

Notable Topographical Features

Lake Winnipesaukee dominates the eastern landscape, covering about 71 square miles with its irregular shoreline and numerous bays. This large body of water influences the local topography significantly, creating a natural boundary to the east and southeast of Meredith. Several smaller lakes and ponds dot the surrounding area as well, including Waukewan Lake to the northwest and Wickwas Lake to the southwest. The land rises more dramatically as one moves away from the lake shores. Gentle to moderate slopes characterize much of the terrain, with occasional steeper inclines. The area's forests cover much of the undeveloped land, consisting primarily of mixed hardwoods and conifers typical of the New England region.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

When considering large-scale solar photovoltaic installations near Meredith, several factors related to topography become important. The most suitable areas would generally be: The relatively flat plateaus and gentle south-facing slopes located to the northwest and west of Meredith center offer promising sites for solar development. These areas receive good solar exposure while being somewhat removed from the most scenic lakefront properties. Some of the cleared agricultural lands found in pockets throughout the region, particularly those with minimal tree cover and good southern exposure, present opportunities for solar array placement. These areas often have the advantage of already being cleared and having less environmental sensitivity than forested lands. The terrain rising to the north of town includes several locations with favorable southern aspects that could accommodate solar installations while being partially shielded from view from the town and lake areas. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes, wetlands associated with the many water bodies, and locations with significant forest cover that would require extensive clearing. Additionally, the immediate shorelines of lakes and ponds are generally not suitable due to environmental regulations, scenic considerations, and recreational usage. The region's moderate relief means that there are no vast, continuous flat areas ideal for the largest utility-scale solar farms. However, the topography does offer numerous medium-sized sites that could support significant solar development while respecting the natural landscape character that makes the Lakes Region attractive.

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.