Solar PV Analysis of Norridgewock, United States
The location at Norridgewock, Maine in the United States is somewhat ideal for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This means that you can use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity all year round. However, the amount of electricity you can generate varies with each season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot more electricity compared to autumn and winter. Specifically, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar installed, you could produce about 5.79 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.41 kWh/day in spring. In contrast, during autumn and winter the production drops to about 3.19 kWh/day and 2.01 kWh/day respectively.
Therefore, if your goal is to maximize solar power generation throughout the year at this location, it would be best to plan high-energy activities or consumption during spring and summer when output is highest.
In terms of installing solar panels at this location in Norridgewock Maine; for a fixed panel installation - meaning one where the panels don't move or track the sun - tilting them towards south at an angle of 39 degrees will help capture maximum sunlight over the course of a year which translates into higher overall energy production.
However there are some factors that might impact how much energy your system generates locally:
1) Weather – Maine has long winters with heavy snowfall which could cover your panels reducing their productivity.
2) Environmental Factors – The area also experiences regular cloud cover which could reduce exposure to direct sunlight hence lowering efficiency.
To mitigate these issues:
1) You may consider installing snow guards on your roof around your PV system so as not allow too much snow accumulation on top of it preventing loss in productivity.
2) Also having an efficient way to clean off any accumulated debris or dust from time-to-time will ensure optimal performance.
In conclusion, while Norridgewock, Maine is not the most ideal location for solar power generation due to its weather and environmental conditions, it can still be a viable option especially if you take appropriate measures to maximize efficiency. Planning high energy consumption activities during spring and summer when output is highest could help offset lower production in winter and autumn.
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 Norridgewock
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.6902, Longitude: -69.8252 (Norridgewock, 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 39° South in Norridgewock, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Norridgewock, United States (Lat/Long 44.6902, -69.8252) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Norridgewock, 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 Norridgewock, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° 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 | 49° South in Autumn | 59° 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 Norridgewock, 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 Norridgewock, 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 Norridgewock, United States
Norridgewock, United States is located in the state of Maine and has a relatively diverse topography. The region is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and farmland with several rivers including the Kennebec River flowing through it.
In terms of solar PV potential, flat or gently sloping areas are generally best suited for large-scale solar PV installations due to easier installation and maintenance. Areas with less tree cover would also be more suitable to allow for maximum sunlight exposure.
Given these factors, farmlands around Norridgewock could potentially be good locations for large-scale solar PV installations as they tend to be flat or gently sloping and have less tree cover compared to forested areas. However, any decision on this would need a detailed site-specific study considering various other factors like soil conditions, accessibility, proximity to transmission lines etc.
It should also be noted that Maine does not receive as much sunlight as some other states in the U.S., which may affect the efficiency of solar panels. However, modern solar panels can still generate significant amounts of electricity even under less than optimal sunlight conditions.
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: Sunday 7th of July 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.
