Mount Laurel, New Jersey, offers a moderately favorable location for solar energy generation, with seasonal variations that impact the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal differences in solar production potential.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Mount Laurel demonstrate significant seasonal variation in energy output. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating approximately 6.31 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.55 kWh/day per kW. Energy generation decreases substantially during autumn (3.76 kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (2.24 kWh/day).

This pattern creates a notable difference between peak summer production and winter lows, with summer generating nearly three times the electricity of winter months. The substantial spring production indicates that solar energy becomes increasingly effective from March through May as daylight hours extend and sun angles improve.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Mount Laurel, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 35 degrees facing South. This specific angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations in sun position and intensity throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Mount Laurel:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel output until melting occurs
• Tree cover and shading from nearby buildings may impact production, particularly during lower sun angle periods
• The region experiences occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and hurricanes, which could cause temporary system shutdowns

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Mount Laurel should incorporate several preventative measures. Snow-shedding panel arrangements at the recommended 35-degree tilt help facilitate natural clearing of snow. Professional shading analysis prior to installation can identify optimal panel placement to minimize tree and building shadow impacts. Additionally, quality mounting systems rated for local wind conditions ensure system durability during severe weather events.

While winter production is notably lower, the strong performance during spring through fall months makes Mount Laurel a viable location for solar PV systems when properly designed and installed to address local conditions.

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 Mount Laurel

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9458, Longitude: -74.9042 (Mount Laurel, 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 Mount Laurel, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mount Laurel, United States (Lat/Long 39.9458, -74.9042) 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 Mount Laurel, 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 Mount Laurel, 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 Mount Laurel, 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 Mount Laurel, 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 Mount Laurel, United States

Mount Laurel, New Jersey is situated in the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic province of the eastern United States. This area is characterized by relatively flat to gently undulating terrain, with elevations generally ranging from about 15 to 60 meters (50 to 200 feet) above sea level. The topography around Mount Laurel presents a landscape that has been shaped by ancient marine deposits, with subtle hills and shallow valleys rather than dramatic relief. The area lies east of the Fall Line, which marks the boundary between the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont province. This geological transition zone runs roughly northeast to southwest through New Jersey. To the east of Mount Laurel, the land gradually descends toward the New Jersey Pinelands and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. To the west, the terrain gently rises toward the Delaware River, which forms the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Local Terrain Features

The immediate vicinity of Mount Laurel consists primarily of mild slopes and low hills. Rancocas Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River, flows to the north of Mount Laurel Township, creating some localized variations in elevation along its banks and watershed. This waterway has carved shallow valleys in the otherwise gentle terrain. The area also contains some wetlands and small ponds, particularly associated with the Rancocas Creek system. These water features create minor depressions in the landscape. Despite these variations, the overall topographic relief in the region remains modest, with few areas exceeding 5-10% in slope gradient.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

Given the relatively flat terrain around Mount Laurel, several nearby areas would be well-suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The most appropriate locations would include: The open agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Mount Laurel offer extensive flat areas with minimal shading concerns. These areas, extending toward the Pinelands, provide large contiguous spaces that would minimize development costs related to terrain modification. Former industrial sites and brownfields in the broader Burlington County region present opportunities for solar development without consuming undeveloped land. These locations often have existing infrastructure connections that can reduce installation costs. Areas along major transportation corridors, such as those near the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295, contain cleared lands with good solar access. These locations benefit from existing access roads and proximity to electrical infrastructure. The flat terrain means that most sites in the region would require minimal grading, reducing construction costs for large-scale installations. The absence of significant hills or mountains also means that seasonal shadowing effects are minimized compared to more mountainous regions. It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable, other considerations such as land use regulations, proximity to electrical substations, and environmental protections (particularly for wetlands and the Pinelands National Reserve to the east) would need to be evaluated when selecting specific sites for solar development. The extensive suburban development in parts of the region may also limit the availability of large, contiguous parcels in some directions.

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.