North Kingstown, Rhode Island shows a typical seasonal pattern for solar energy generation in the Northern Temperate Zone, with significant variations throughout the year that make it moderately suitable for solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location experiences strong summer production at 6.08 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making June through August the peak generating months. Spring follows closely behind with 5.73 kWh per day per kW, indicating that March through May also provide excellent solar conditions. These two seasons represent the most productive periods for solar energy generation at this Rhode Island location. Autumn production drops to 3.57 kWh per day per kW, while winter shows the lowest output at just 2.09 kWh per day per kW. This winter figure represents about one-third of summer production, which is typical for northern temperate locations but does create challenges for year-round energy independence.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round production at North Kingstown, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 36 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize total annual energy output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the seasons and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in North Kingstown can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Heavy snow accumulation during winter months can block panels completely
• Coastal humidity and salt air can reduce panel efficiency over time
• Frequent autumn and winter storms may cause temporary shading from clouds
• Ice formation can create safety hazards and block sunlight

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Panels should be mounted at steeper angles when possible to encourage snow shedding, though this must be balanced against the optimal 36-degree angle for year-round production. Regular cleaning schedules become essential in coastal Rhode Island due to salt spray and humidity. Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings designed for marine environments helps combat corrosion from salt air. Proper drainage systems around panel installations prevent ice dams, while ensuring adequate spacing between panels allows for thermal expansion and easier maintenance access. Professional monitoring systems can alert owners to performance drops that might indicate snow coverage or other obstructions requiring attention. The seasonal variation at this location means that battery storage or grid-tied systems become particularly valuable for maintaining consistent energy supply during the lower-production winter months.

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 Kingstown

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.5501, Longitude: -71.4662 (North Kingstown, 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 Kingstown, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Kingstown, United States (Lat/Long 41.5501, -71.4662) 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 Kingstown, 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 Kingstown, 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
25° South in Summer	46° 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 North Kingstown, 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 Kingstown, 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 Kingstown, United States

Topographical Features of North Kingstown

North Kingstown sits in the gently rolling coastal plain of Rhode Island, characterized by relatively modest elevation changes and a landscape shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago. The terrain consists primarily of low hills, shallow valleys, and numerous wetland areas that create a varied but generally manageable topography for development purposes. The highest elevations in the area reach approximately 200 feet above sea level, while much of the surrounding region sits at elevations between 50 and 150 feet. The landscape features a mix of forested areas, agricultural fields, and developed land, with the Narragansett Bay forming the eastern boundary. Numerous small ponds, streams, and wetlands dot the region, remnants of the glacial activity that carved out much of southern New England's current topography. The soil composition varies from sandy loam in higher areas to clay and organic soils in the lower-lying wetland regions.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around North Kingstown would be the gently sloping or flat agricultural fields and cleared areas that face south or southwest. These areas offer the ideal combination of minimal grading requirements, good drainage, and favorable solar exposure. The rolling hills provide natural windbreaks while avoiding the complications of steep slopes that would require extensive site preparation. Former agricultural lands and open meadows in the western and southwestern portions of the region present particularly attractive opportunities. These areas typically have fewer environmental constraints compared to the wetland-rich eastern sections near the bay. The moderate elevation changes can actually be beneficial for solar installations, as gentle south-facing slopes naturally optimize panel positioning without requiring complex mounting systems. Areas to avoid would include the numerous wetlands and their buffer zones, steeply sloped terrain that would require significant earthwork, and heavily forested regions where tree removal would be environmentally problematic or economically unfeasible. The proximity to existing electrical infrastructure along major roads and near developed areas would also be a significant advantage for any large-scale solar project, reducing interconnection costs and complexity. The relatively stable geology of the region, consisting mainly of glacial till and sedimentary deposits, provides good foundation conditions for solar mounting systems without the complications that might arise from bedrock close to the surface or unstable soils.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.