Plymouth, Pennsylvania, United States shows moderate potential for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of locations in the Northern Temperate Zone at latitude 41.2376, -75.9477.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location experiences strong seasonal differences in solar energy production. Summer provides the highest output at 5.80 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak generation season. Spring follows closely with 5.12 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly equivalent performance. Autumn sees a notable drop to 3.09 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.79 kWh per day per kW. This represents more than a three-fold difference between peak summer and winter production levels. The ideal times for solar generation at this location are clearly summer and spring, when the combination of longer days and higher sun angles maximize energy output. These two seasons account for the majority of annual solar production potential.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, the ideal tilt angle is 35 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round production. This angle balances the varying sun positions throughout the seasons to optimize overall annual energy capture.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Plymouth, Pennsylvania can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can block panels and reduce output
• Ice formation on panels creates similar blockage issues
• Regional cloud cover and precipitation patterns can reduce solar irradiance
• Dust and debris accumulation on panel surfaces
• Potential shading from deciduous trees when leafed out in growing season

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maintain optimal energy production despite local challenges:

• Install panels at steeper angles (closer to 45-50 degrees) to encourage snow and ice to slide off naturally
• Ensure adequate spacing between panel rows to prevent shading and allow snow removal access
• Choose mounting systems that allow safe cleaning and maintenance access
• Trim or remove nearby vegetation that could cast shadows on panels
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize impact when individual panels are partially shaded or snow-covered

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this climate, including periodic cleaning and snow removal when safe to do so. The significant winter production drop makes it especially valuable to maximize output during the more productive spring and summer months through proper system maintenance and optimal positioning.

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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.2376, Longitude: -75.9477 (Plymouth, Pennsylvania, 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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, United States (Lat/Long 41.2376, -75.9477) 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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania, 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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania, 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
25° South in Summer	45° South in Autumn	56° South in Winter	34° 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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania, 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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania, 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 Plymouth, Pennsylvania, United States

Topographical Features Around Plymouth

Plymouth, located in northeastern Pennsylvania's Luzerne County, sits within the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River. This region is characterized by a distinctive landscape shaped by both natural geological processes and extensive historical coal mining activities. The immediate area around Plymouth features relatively flat to gently rolling terrain typical of river valley bottoms, with elevations generally ranging from 500 to 700 feet above sea level.

The Susquehanna River flows northeastward through the valley, creating natural floodplains and terraces that provide some of the flattest land in the region. To the north and south of Plymouth, the landscape transitions into more pronounced hills and ridges that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain system. These elevated areas can reach heights of 1,500 to 2,000 feet, creating a bowl-like valley configuration that helps define the local topography.

The region's extensive coal mining heritage has significantly modified the natural landscape. Numerous strip mines, culm banks, and reclaimed mining areas dot the surrounding countryside. Many of these former mining sites have been graded and stabilized over the decades, creating large expanses of relatively level ground that differ markedly from the original topography.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for substantial solar photovoltaic installations around Plymouth would be the reclaimed strip mining areas scattered throughout the surrounding hills and valleys. These sites offer several advantages for solar development, including extensive cleared areas with minimal vegetation, relatively stable ground conditions after reclamation, and often favorable drainage characteristics that have been engineered during the restoration process.

The flatter portions of the Wyoming Valley floor, particularly agricultural fields and open spaces south and west of Plymouth, present excellent opportunities for ground-mounted solar arrays. These areas typically feature gentle slopes with southern exposures and minimal shading from surrounding terrain. The agricultural lands in nearby townships such as Hanover and Newport offer particularly suitable conditions with their combination of flat topography and existing cleared land.

Former mining areas on the hillsides surrounding the valley, especially those with southern-facing slopes, could accommodate large-scale installations while taking advantage of natural terrain that optimizes solar panel positioning. Many of these reclaimed sites are already cleared of trees and have established road access from previous industrial activities, reducing infrastructure development costs.

The elevated plateau areas to the north and south of the immediate valley, while requiring more careful site selection due to varying terrain, offer potential locations with excellent exposure characteristics. These higher elevation sites often feature broad, relatively flat areas between ridgelines that could support significant solar installations while remaining above the more densely developed valley floor.

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.