North Attleboro, Massachusetts offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar production that potential solar adopters should understand.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in North Attleboro generate their highest output during summer months, producing an average of 6.10kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with a respectable 5.73kWh/day per kW. Production decreases substantially in autumn to 3.59kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest production period at just 2.09kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

This pattern creates a solar production profile where approximately 70% of annual energy is generated during spring and summer months, while the remaining 30% comes during fall and winter. For homeowners or businesses considering solar installation, this means the system will produce significantly more electricity from May through September than during the remainder of the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in North Attleboro, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 36 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the total annual energy harvest by balancing seasonal variations in the sun's position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors in North Attleboro can impact solar production:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce output by blocking sunlight from reaching panels
• Deciduous tree coverage, common in New England, may cast shadows during certain times of day
• Occasional coastal weather systems can bring extended cloudy periods

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should include snow-shedding panel arrangements with sufficient tilt to help snow slide off naturally. Strategic tree trimming or removal may be necessary to minimize shading. Additionally, mounting hardware should meet local wind load requirements to withstand occasional nor'easter storm systems that affect the region.

Overall, North Attleboro provides good conditions for solar energy production, particularly from April through September, though year-round generation is possible with proper system design and maintenance practices.

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 Attleboro

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.9739, Longitude: -71.3284 (North Attleboro, 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 North Attleboro, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Attleboro, United States (Lat/Long 41.9739, -71.3284) 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 North Attleboro, 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 Attleboro, 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
26° 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 North Attleboro, 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 Attleboro, 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 North Attleboro, United States

The terrain around North Attleboro, Massachusetts presents a gently rolling landscape characteristic of the southeastern New England region. Situated in Bristol County near the Rhode Island border, North Attleboro rests at an elevation of approximately 60-70 meters (200-230 feet) above sea level. The topography consists primarily of low hills, shallow valleys, and modest ridgelines that were shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age.

Physiographic Features

North Attleboro lies within what geographers call the Seaboard Lowland section of the New England physiographic province. The landscape displays a mix of glacial features including drumlins (oval-shaped hills), eskers (ridges of stratified sand and gravel), and scattered wetlands. The town is situated within the Ten Mile River watershed, with several small streams and brooks crossing the area, eventually flowing southward toward Narragansett Bay. To the west and northwest of North Attleboro, the terrain gradually rises toward the Rhode Island border, with several modest hills reaching elevations of 100-120 meters (330-390 feet). The eastern portions of the town tend to be slightly flatter, with more extensive wetland areas and lower average elevations.

Soil and Surface Conditions

The soils around North Attleboro are predominantly glacial till, a mixture of clay, silt, sand, and gravel deposited by retreating glaciers. These soils typically have moderate drainage capabilities, though some low-lying areas contain poorly drained soils that support wetland ecosystems. Bedrock in the region consists mainly of granite, gneiss, and schist, occasionally exposed at the surface in the form of small outcrops and ledges.

Land Use Patterns

The landscape around North Attleboro reflects a suburban development pattern interspersed with remaining agricultural lands, woodlots, and protected open spaces. The central portions of the town are more densely developed, while outlying areas retain more of their rural character with larger tracts of undeveloped land.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several areas around North Attleboro show particular promise. The most suitable locations would be: The gently sloping south-facing hillsides located in the northwestern quadrant of the town offer ideal orientation for solar collection. These areas typically have good drainage, minimal flooding risk, and favorable sun exposure throughout the day. Former agricultural lands to the southwest of the town center present opportunities for solar development. These parcels often feature cleared, relatively flat terrain that would require minimal site preparation for solar array installation. Several reclaimed or unused industrial properties in the southeastern section of North Attleboro could be repurposed for solar farms. These brownfield sites typically have existing access to utility infrastructure, making grid interconnection more straightforward. Areas to avoid would include the wetland complexes scattered throughout the eastern portions of town, which serve important ecological functions and are typically protected by conservation regulations. Additionally, the steeper slopes found on some of the higher hills to the northwest would present installation challenges and potentially greater environmental impacts from necessary grading operations. The moderate relief of the landscape generally means that shading from terrain features is minimal across most of the region, though site-specific assessments would be necessary to identify any localized shading concerns from tree lines or built structures.

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.