Solar PV Analysis of New Britain, United States
The location in New Britain, Connecticut, United States is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar PV year-round. The most productive seasons for solar energy generation at this location are summer and spring when the system can produce 5.84kWh/day and 5.62kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively.
Autumn sees a decrease in production to about 3.51kWh/day per kW of installed solar which could be due to shorter days and less intense sunlight as the season progresses towards winter.
Winter has the lowest output with only about 2.07 kWh/day per kW of installed solar being generated on average each day, mainly because of fewer daylight hours and lower sun angle during this time of year.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 36 degrees facing south will help maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system.
However, there might be environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production at this location such as snowfall during winter which can cover up panels reducing their effectiveness or even stop them from working altogether until cleared off; also cloudy or overcast days will reduce output too but these conditions are not always predictable nor preventable.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential impediments, it's recommended to install your panels where they won't be shaded by trees or buildings throughout the day if possible; also consider using a snow removal service (or do it yourself) after heavy snowfalls to keep your panels clear and functioning properly all winter long.
In summary: while New Britain isn't the absolute best place for generating electricity with Solar PV due to its climate having significant seasonal variations affecting output - especially in Winter - it's still quite feasible overall if you take measures like installing your panels correctly (at right tilt angle & direction), keeping them free from obstructions (like shade & snow), etc., so that they can work optimally under the given 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 New Britain
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6835, Longitude: -72.7953 (New Britain, 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 36° South in New Britain, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in New Britain, United States (Lat/Long 41.6835, -72.7953) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 New Britain, 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 New Britain, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 New Britain, 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 New Britain, 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 New Britain, United States
New Britain, Connecticut, United States is located in a region characterized by rolling hills and valleys. It is part of the larger Hartford metropolitan area which features a mix of urban and suburban development.
The topography does not have any significant mountains or steep slopes that would hinder solar panel installation. The cityscape mainly consists of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks and some industrial zones.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, open spaces with direct sun exposure are ideal. Some potential locations include:
1. Unused industrial lands: These often have fewer trees to obstruct sunlight.
2. Large rooftops: Commercial buildings or warehouses often have large flat roofs which can host solar panels.
3. Open fields or farmlands: If available around the outskirts of New Britain, they could be utilized for large scale solar PV systems.
However, it's important to note that actual suitability would depend on various factors including local zoning regulations, environmental considerations and grid connectivity among others. Therefore a detailed site assessment would be required before confirming any location for such projects.
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: Thursday 2nd of May 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.
