Ogdensburg, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that are typical for northern latitudes.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer provides the strongest performance at 5.87 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring follows closely with 5.36 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable energy production. However, the colder months present challenges. Autumn drops significantly to 2.78 kWh per day per kW, while winter plummets to just 1.73 kWh per day per kW. This means winter solar output is less than one-third of summer production, requiring careful planning for year-round energy needs.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Ogdensburg, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Ogdensburg area can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation: Heavy winter snowfall can completely block solar panels, eliminating energy production until cleared
• Ice formation: Freezing rain and ice storms can coat panels and reduce efficiency
• Lake effect weather: Being near the St. Lawrence River may increase cloud cover and precipitation
• Cold temperatures: While solar panels actually perform better in cold weather, extreme cold can affect system components

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective:

• Steeper tilt angles: Installing panels at angles steeper than the optimal 38 degrees can help snow slide off more easily
• Quality mounting systems: Robust mounting hardware designed for snow loads prevents structural damage
• Panel spacing: Adequate spacing between panel rows prevents snow from one row shadowing another
• Accessible installation: Positioning panels where they can be safely cleared of snow when necessary
• Cold-weather components: Using inverters and electrical components rated for extreme temperature variations

Despite winter challenges, Ogdensburg's strong spring and summer solar potential makes it a viable location for solar energy, particularly when proper installation techniques address local weather conditions.

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 Ogdensburg

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.689, Longitude: -75.4811 (Ogdensburg, 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 Ogdensburg, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ogdensburg, United States (Lat/Long 44.689, -75.4811) 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 Ogdensburg, 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 Ogdensburg, 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 Ogdensburg, 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 Ogdensburg, 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 Ogdensburg, United States

Topographical Features Around Ogdensburg

Ogdensburg sits in the Saint Lawrence River Valley in northern New York State, positioned along the international border with Canada. The area is characterized by relatively flat to gently rolling terrain that is typical of the Saint Lawrence Lowlands physiographic region. The city itself lies at a modest elevation, nestled between the broad Saint Lawrence River to the north and gradually rising terrain to the south.

The immediate landscape around Ogdensburg consists of fertile agricultural plains and low-lying areas that were shaped by ancient glacial activity. The Saint Lawrence River dominates the northern horizon, creating a wide, flat corridor that extends both east and west. South of the city, the terrain begins a gradual ascent toward the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, though the transition is gentle rather than abrupt.

The topography is marked by numerous small streams and waterways that drain northward into the Saint Lawrence River. These waterways have carved shallow valleys and created a patchwork of wetlands, agricultural fields, and forested areas. The soil composition is generally fertile, supporting extensive farming operations throughout the region.

Terrain Characteristics for Solar Development

The relatively flat nature of the terrain around Ogdensburg presents favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The gentle topography minimizes the need for extensive grading and site preparation, which can significantly reduce development costs. The open agricultural character of much of the surrounding landscape provides large, unobstructed areas that could accommodate substantial solar arrays.

Areas to the south and southwest of Ogdensburg offer particularly promising conditions for solar development. These locations feature expansive flat to gently sloping fields with minimal tree coverage and good access to existing transportation infrastructure. The agricultural nature of these lands means they are already cleared and maintained, eliminating the need for forest clearing that might be required in more heavily wooded areas.

The terrain east and west of the city along the river valley also presents suitable conditions, with broad, flat expanses that receive unobstructed solar exposure. However, some of these areas may be constrained by proximity to wetlands or flood-prone zones near the river system.

Optimal Solar Siting Considerations

The most suitable areas for large-scale solar installations would be the elevated agricultural lands south of Ogdensburg, where the terrain provides good drainage while maintaining relatively flat conditions. These areas benefit from being above the river valley's potential flood zones while still maintaining the gentle topography that makes construction and maintenance economical.

The western approaches to the city also offer excellent potential, particularly where farmland extends across broad, flat areas with southern exposure. These locations would allow for optimal panel orientation while taking advantage of the region's naturally open landscape. The existing road network in these agricultural areas would facilitate both construction access and long-term maintenance operations.

Areas immediately adjacent to the Saint Lawrence River, while flat and open, may present challenges due to potential flooding, environmental sensitivities, and proximity to international borders. The slightly elevated agricultural lands that rise gently from the river valley represent the optimal balance of favorable topography, accessibility, and development feasibility for major solar projects.

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.