Conway, New Hampshire, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 5.69 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring follows closely behind with 5.19 kWh per day per kW, representing nearly as productive conditions. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.11 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.84 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This winter figure represents less than one-third of summer production levels. For fixed panel installations at Conway, the optimal tilt angle is 38 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round energy production.

Local Environmental and Weather Challenges

Conway's location in New Hampshire presents several significant factors that can impede solar production throughout the year. Snow accumulation represents the most substantial challenge during winter months. Heavy snowfall can completely cover solar panels, blocking all energy production until the snow melts or is removed. The region's cold temperatures can cause snow to stick to panels longer than in warmer climates. Cloud cover and frequent overcast conditions, particularly common during autumn and winter months, directly reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels. New England's weather patterns often include extended periods of gray, cloudy days that significantly diminish energy output. Tree coverage and seasonal foliage changes can create shading issues. While deciduous trees lose leaves in winter when sun angles are already low, evergreen trees maintain year-round shading potential.

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize energy production despite these challenges:

• Install panels at the optimal 38-degree south-facing angle to encourage natural snow shedding and maximize sun exposure during lower winter sun angles
• Choose panel mounting systems that allow adequate airflow underneath to prevent ice dam formation
• Select darker-colored panel frames that absorb heat and help melt snow more quickly
• Ensure proper site selection with minimal shading from trees, especially from the south, southeast, and southwest directions
• Consider installing panels higher off the roof surface to improve air circulation and reduce snow retention

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this climate, including safe snow removal when necessary and keeping panels clean of debris that accumulates during autumn months.

Overall Assessment

While Conway, New Hampshire cannot be considered an ideal year-round solar location due to its significant winter production decline, the strong summer and spring performance can still make solar installations economically viable. The key lies in proper system sizing to account for seasonal variations and implementing appropriate installation techniques to minimize weather-related production losses.

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 Conway, New Hampshire

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.9792, Longitude: -71.1204 (Conway, New Hampshire, 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 38° South in Conway, New Hampshire, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Conway, New Hampshire, United States (Lat/Long 43.9792, -71.1204) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Conway, New Hampshire, 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 Conway, New Hampshire, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° 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	48° 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 Conway, New Hampshire, 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 Conway, New Hampshire, 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 Conway, New Hampshire, United States

Topographical Features Around Conway, New Hampshire

Conway sits in the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountain region, positioned within the broad Saco River valley. The town occupies relatively flat terrain at approximately 500 feet above sea level, surrounded by dramatic mountainous landscapes that define this scenic area of northern New England. The Saco River meanders through the valley floor, creating fertile floodplains and gentle rolling terrain that characterizes much of Conway's immediate vicinity.

To the west and northwest, the landscape rises dramatically into the White Mountain National Forest, where peaks exceed 4,000 feet in elevation. Mount Washington, the region's most prominent feature, towers to the northwest, while the Presidential Range creates an impressive western backdrop. The Moat Mountains form a closer western boundary, with their forested slopes rising steeply from the valley floor.

Eastward from Conway, the terrain remains more moderate, with gentle hills and agricultural valleys extending toward the Maine border. The topography here consists of rolling farmland interspersed with wooded areas, typical of New Hampshire's rural countryside. Several smaller rivers and streams flow through this eastern region, creating occasional wetlands and maintaining the area's generally verdant character.

The immediate Conway area features a mix of developed land, agricultural fields, and forested parcels. Many areas show evidence of historical farming activity, with cleared fields and pastures that have been maintained over generations. The soil conditions vary from sandy deposits near the river to rockier terrain on the hillsides, reflecting the glacial history that shaped this entire region.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for substantial solar installations lie in the flatter agricultural areas east and southeast of Conway's town center. These regions offer several advantages including relatively level terrain that minimizes grading requirements and reduces installation costs. The existing cleared farmland provides open exposure to southern skies without the need for extensive tree removal, which can be both costly and environmentally sensitive in this forested region.

Areas along Route 16 heading toward Ossipee present particularly favorable conditions, where rolling farmland creates natural south-facing slopes ideal for solar panel orientation. The terrain here remains gentle enough for conventional mounting systems while providing the slight inclination that can enhance panel efficiency. These locations also benefit from existing road infrastructure and electrical grid connections, important factors for large-scale development.

The fields and pastures scattered throughout the eastern portions of Conway and extending into neighboring communities offer additional opportunities. Many of these areas were historically farmed and maintain relatively clear sight lines to the southern horizon. The combination of accessible terrain, existing infrastructure, and appropriate zoning makes these locations particularly attractive for solar development.

Conversely, the mountainous areas to the west present significant challenges for large-scale solar installations. The steep terrain, dense forest cover, and frequent shading from surrounding peaks make these locations unsuitable for major solar projects. Additionally, the environmental sensitivity of the White Mountain National Forest areas would likely preclude most development activities regardless of their technical feasibility.

The river valley areas, while relatively flat, may face restrictions due to floodplain regulations and wetland protections. However, some elevated areas within the broader valley system could still prove viable, particularly those with good drainage and appropriate setbacks from water features.

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.