Newington, Connecticut, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's latitude and longitude (41.6868, -72.7248) contribute to varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Newington fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.81 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.58 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.45 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.01 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this location. Long, sunny summer days contrast sharply with short, often overcast winter days, resulting in a nearly threefold difference in daily energy output.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Newington, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Newington's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps snow slide off more easily.
• Tree coverage may cast shadows on panels, particularly in residential areas. Careful site assessment and strategic panel placement can minimize this issue.

To mitigate these factors, regular panel maintenance, including snow removal when necessary, and ensuring panels are installed in areas with minimal shading can help maintain optimal energy production. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels can help maximize output during less ideal conditions.

Conclusion

Overall, Newington's location provides a good opportunity for solar energy generation, especially during spring and summer months. While winter production is significantly lower, the annual average remains favorable for residential and commercial solar installations when proper installation techniques and maintenance practices are employed.

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 3040 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 Newington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6868, Longitude: -72.7248 (Newington, 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 Newington, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Newington, United States (Lat/Long 41.6868, -72.7248) 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 Newington, 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 Newington, 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 Newington, 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 Newington, 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 Newington, United States

The topography around Newington, Connecticut, located at approximately 41.6868° N latitude and 72.7248° W longitude, is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This area is part of the Connecticut River Valley, which features a mix of low-lying plains and modest elevations. Newington itself sits at an average elevation of about 150 feet (46 meters) above sea level. The surrounding landscape is a blend of suburban development, open fields, and patches of woodland. To the west of Newington, the terrain gradually rises towards the Metacomet Ridge, a long, narrow mountain range that runs north-south through the region. This ridge provides some of the more noticeable elevation changes in the vicinity. To the east of Newington, the land slopes gently towards the Connecticut River, which is about 5 miles away. This area is generally flatter and more open, with fewer hills and more expansive fields.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have the following characteristics: 1. Large, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings 2. Relatively flat terrain to simplify installation and maximize sun exposure 3. Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection 4. Areas that are not prime agricultural land or ecologically sensitive Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Newington would likely be found in the more open, flatter regions to the east and southeast of the town. These areas, closer to the Connecticut River, tend to have more expansive fields and fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. Some specific locations that might be worth investigating include former agricultural lands that are no longer in active use, brownfield sites (previously developed land that is not currently in use), or large commercial or industrial properties with ample roof space or unused land. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and compliance with local zoning regulations. The suitability of specific sites would need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as soil conditions, drainage, and potential impacts on local wildlife and vegetation.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.