Moorestown, New Jersey offers moderately good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation typical of locations in the Northern Temperate Zone.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows a clear seasonal pattern that reflects the changing sun angles and weather conditions throughout the year. Summer provides the highest energy production at 6.31 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the prime season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.55 kWh per day per kW, offering excellent solar conditions as the sun climbs higher and days become clearer. Autumn drops to 3.75 kWh per day per kW as the sun angle decreases and cloud cover typically increases. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.24 kWh per day per kW, representing about one-third of summer production levels.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round energy production at Moorestown, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on actual solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Moorestown area can impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall can cover panels and block sunlight completely
• Atmospheric haze and humidity: Summer heat and humidity can create haze that reduces solar irradiance
• Storm systems: The region experiences nor'easters, thunderstorms, and occasional tropical systems that bring extended cloudy periods
• Tree coverage: The area's mature trees can create shading issues, particularly during lower sun angles in fall and winter

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges:

• Snow management: Install panels at the optimal 35-degree angle to encourage natural snow sliding, and consider snow guards to prevent dangerous ice sheets from falling
• Proper spacing: Space panel rows adequately to minimize self-shading during winter months when the sun is lower
• Tree management: Conduct thorough shade analysis before installation and trim or remove problematic vegetation
• Quality components: Use panels and inverters rated for high humidity and temperature fluctuations common in New Jersey's climate
• Regular maintenance: Schedule periodic cleaning and inspection to remove debris, leaves, and other obstructions

Despite these seasonal challenges, Moorestown's location provides reasonable solar potential, particularly during the longer, sunnier months from spring through early fall when the majority of annual solar generation occurs.

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 Moorestown

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9672, Longitude: -74.9562 (Moorestown, 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 35° South in Moorestown, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Moorestown, United States (Lat/Long 39.9672, -74.9562) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Moorestown, 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 Moorestown, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Moorestown, 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 Moorestown, 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 Moorestown, United States

Topographical Features of the Moorestown Area

Moorestown sits in the heart of New Jersey's Coastal Plain region, characterized by relatively flat terrain with gentle rolling hills. The elevation around this area typically ranges from 50 to 150 feet above sea level, creating a landscape that lacks dramatic elevation changes. This topographical setting places Moorestown within the broader Delaware River valley system, where the land gradually slopes toward the Delaware River to the west.

The immediate vicinity features a mix of developed suburban areas interspersed with patches of woodland and agricultural land. The terrain consists primarily of well-drained soils overlying sand and clay deposits left behind by ancient marine environments. Small streams and tributaries weave through the landscape, creating minor valleys and drainage corridors that add subtle variation to the otherwise gently undulating topography.

Moving outward from Moorestown, the landscape maintains its relatively flat character across much of Burlington County and into neighboring areas. The Pine Barrens region extends to the southeast, while agricultural farmland dominates areas to the north and east. The Delaware River forms a natural western boundary, with the land rising very gradually as it moves inland from the river's floodplain.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The flat to gently rolling topography surrounding Moorestown presents excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas lie in the agricultural zones extending northeast and southeast of the town, where large parcels of relatively level farmland offer minimal shading concerns and optimal solar exposure throughout the day.

Former agricultural fields and cleared areas in the Pine Barrens region to the southeast provide particularly attractive sites for solar development. These locations benefit from minimal tree cover, consistent elevation, and reduced conflicts with residential development. The sandy soils in these areas, while challenging for some types of agriculture, present fewer complications for solar panel foundation systems.

Areas along the eastern portions of Burlington County, where the landscape transitions from suburban development to more rural agricultural use, offer additional prime locations. These zones typically feature large, unobstructed parcels with gentle slopes that can be easily graded if necessary to optimize panel orientation and drainage.

The relatively low elevation changes across the region mean that most potential solar sites would not require significant earthwork or grading to achieve proper panel positioning. The absence of steep slopes or significant topographical barriers makes construction and maintenance access straightforward across most of the area. Additionally, the generally open character of the landscape minimizes shading from hills or ridgelines that could impact solar panel performance during different seasons.

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.