Solar PV Analysis of Medford, Massachusetts, United States
In simple terms, Medford, Massachusetts is a decent location for generating solar energy all year round. However, the amount of energy you can generate varies with each season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity (5.75kWh/day in Summer and 5.42kWh/day in Spring) compared to autumn and winter (3.35 kWh/day in Autumn and 2.01 kWh/day in Winter). This means that the best times of the year to generate solar energy at this location would be during spring and summer when sunlight is most abundant.
For a fixed panel installation here, it would be ideal to tilt your panels at an angle of 37 degrees facing south for maximum yearly production from your solar photovoltaic system.
Now let's talk about some factors that could potentially disrupt your solar production here:
Medford experiences varying weather conditions throughout the year which could affect how much sun your panels get - cloudy or snowy days will reduce production while clear sunny days will increase it.
The city also has its fair share of buildings and trees which might cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency. Topography also plays a part - if you're located on a hillside or valley where sunlight may not reach as easily, this could impact your system's performance.
To ensure greater energy production despite these factors:
1) Choose a spot for installation that gets maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels - dust or snow accumulation can block sunlight.
3) If possible, install tracking systems that allow your panels to follow the sun’s path across the sky for better exposure.
4) Trim any nearby trees or structures casting shadows onto your panel.
Remember though every situation is unique so it's always best to consult with an expert before deciding on installation details!
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 Medford, Massachusetts
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.4178, Longitude: -71.1134 (Medford, Massachusetts, 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 37° South in Medford, Massachusetts, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Medford, Massachusetts, United States (Lat/Long 42.4178, -71.1134) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Medford, Massachusetts, 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 Medford, Massachusetts, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 47° 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 Medford, Massachusetts, 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 Medford, Massachusetts, 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 Medford, Massachusetts, United States
Medford, Massachusetts, United States is located in the New England region and has a relatively flat topography with gentle hills. The city is situated near the Mystic River and Fellsway Reservation, which includes some forested areas and wetlands.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are usually preferred as they allow for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels while maximizing sun exposure. In Medford's case, such areas could potentially be found in industrial zones or unused lands within or around the city.
However, it's important to note that suitability for large-scale solar PV also depends on factors like local climate (amount of sunny days per year), local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects, availability of grid connection infrastructure etc. A detailed feasibility study would be needed to identify specific locations suitable for such a project.
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: Monday 12th of February 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.
