Solar PV Analysis of Thomaston, Maine, United States
The location at Thomaston, Maine in the United States is moderately ideal for year-round solar energy production. This place gets an average amount of sunlight throughout the year that can be converted into electricity using solar panels.
In terms of seasons, summer and spring are the best times for generating solar power as these periods receive more sunlight. Specifically, you can expect around 5.79 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.41 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops due to lesser sunlight with about 3.19 kWh/day expected in autumn and even lower at 2.01 kWh/day during winter from each kW of installed solar panel.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 38 degrees facing south will maximize total yearly production from the panels as it allows them to catch maximum available sunlight throughout different times of the year.
There could be some local factors affecting solar production here though; one being weather conditions like snowfall or heavy rains which might cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or potentially damaging them over time if not properly taken care off.
To prevent this, regular maintenance should be performed on your installation - clearing any debris or snow off your panels promptly to ensure they continue working efficiently; also consider installing a system that allows your panels to tilt so they shed off snow more easily when needed.
Furthermore, keep track on any potential shading issues caused by trees or nearby buildings which may block sunlight reaching your panels especially during peak sun hours; trimming tree branches regularly or choosing a strategic spot free from such obstructions would help minimize this issue.
Lastly remember that while these figures give a general idea on what you might expect from a typical system under perfect conditions - actual results will vary depending on specific design details like quality/type/age/condition/maintenance etc. of your solar system, among other factors.
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 Thomaston, Maine
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.0867, Longitude: -69.1971 (Thomaston, Maine, 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 Thomaston, Maine, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thomaston, Maine, United States (Lat/Long 44.0867, -69.1971) 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 Thomaston, Maine, 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 Thomaston, Maine, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 37° 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 Thomaston, Maine, 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 Thomaston, Maine, 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 Thomaston, Maine, United States
Thomaston, United States is located in the state of Maine and is characterized by a diverse topography. It features a coastal landscape as it's situated near the Atlantic Ocean, with several rivers and creeks running through it. The terrain includes flat lowlands along the coast which gradually rise to rolling hills and small mountain ranges inland.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with maximum sun exposure throughout the year should be considered. Flat or gently sloping lands would be ideal for large-scale solar installations because they provide an unobstructed path for sunlight. In this context, open fields or cleared land in Thomaston or its nearby areas could serve well for such projects.
However, one must also consider factors like local weather patterns (Maine has relatively long winters), availability of land, proximity to power grids for transmission, and local regulations regarding renewable energy projects before deciding on specific locations.
As per National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) data, Maine has moderate solar potential compared to other states in U.S., but advancements in technology are making solar increasingly viable in such regions too.
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 28th of June 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.
