Solar PV Analysis of North Andover, United States
North Andover, Massachusetts, is a decent location for generating energy through solar panels year-round. In simpler terms, the amount of electricity that can be produced using solar power varies throughout the seasons.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity - around 5.75 units per day in summer and 5.42 units per day in spring for every unit of installed solar power (kW). This makes these seasons ideal for generating solar energy.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops to about 3.35 units/day in autumn and even lower to 2.01 units/day in winter due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
To maximize your yearly production from your solar panels at this location, you should tilt them at an angle of 37 degrees facing southwards. This will ensure they capture as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could hinder solar production here: North Andover does experience snowfall which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency; however this would only be temporary until it melts or is cleared away manually if necessary.
Preventive measures you may consider include installing systems that allow tilting or turning of panels so they can avoid being fully covered by snow or debris like fallen leaves etc., also regular cleaning/maintenance helps keep them efficient all year round.
Another factor might be cloudy days which reduce sun exposure but modern technology allows some generation even on such days although not as much compared with sunny ones.
Overall though considering average weather conditions throughout the year including both sunny & cloudy/rainy/snowy days; North Andover still presents a fairly good opportunity for harnessing solar energy efficiently across different seasons.
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 North Andover
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.6821, Longitude: -71.1116 (North Andover, 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 North Andover, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Andover, United States (Lat/Long 42.6821, -71.1116) 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 North Andover, 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 North Andover, 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 | 36° 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 North Andover, 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 North Andover, 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 North Andover, United States
North Andover is located in the northeastern part of Massachusetts, United States. The topography of North Andover consists mainly of rolling hills and low-lying coastal plains. It has a mix of forested areas, residential neighborhoods, and commercial zones.
When considering the suitability for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be considered: sunlight availability (solar insolation), land use restrictions, proximity to transmission lines, and topographical features.
Given these considerations:
1. Open fields or industrial zones with few obstructions (like trees or tall buildings) would be ideal places for large-scale solar PV because they receive ample sunlight and have less shading issues.
2. Flat areas are typically preferred over hilly terrain as it reduces installation complexity and cost.
3. Areas closer to existing power transmission infrastructure can reduce costs associated with connecting the solar farm to the grid.
In terms of specific locations around North Andover:
1. The Merrimack Valley area has some open fields that might be suitable.
2. Industrial zones around Lawrence Municipal Airport could also potentially host large-scale solar arrays due to their relative flatness and open space.
3. Farmland on the outskirts of town may also be viable if landowners are willing.
However, feasibility studies including environmental impact assessments would need to be conducted for any potential site before proceeding with a project of this scale.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 15th of June 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.
