Solar PV Analysis of Pennsauken, United States
Pennsauken, New Jersey is a decent location for generating energy through solar PV (photovoltaic) systems year-round. The amount of electricity you can generate from these systems depends on the time of year, with summer and spring being the most productive seasons.
During summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce about 6.47 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. In comparison, during autumn and winter, each kW produces less power - about 3.79 kWh/day in autumn and only 2.32 kWh/day in winter due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity. However, production increases again in spring with an average output of around 5.62 kWh/day per kW.
For optimal performance throughout the year at this location, it's best to tilt your solar panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing southward. This will maximize exposure to sunlight over different seasons resulting in more total power generation annually.
However, there are a few factors that could potentially hinder solar production here:
1) Weather: Pennsauken experiences all four seasons which means winters can be cloudy or snowy reducing the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventative Measure: Regular maintenance such as clearing off snow or debris from your panels will help ensure maximum exposure to sunlight when it’s available.
2) Urban Environment: If you're located in a densely populated area or near tall buildings that cast shadows on your roof for parts of the day this could limit how much sun hits your panels.
Preventative Measure: When installing solar panels try to position them where they'll get unobstructed sunlight for most part of the day.
In conclusion, while Pennsauken isn't ideally situated like places closer to equator for constant high-intensity sun throughout the year; it still gets enough sunshine especially during summer & spring making it viable for using solar PV systems. Just remember to account for potential environmental and local factors that could impact your system’s efficiency.
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 Pennsauken
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9717, Longitude: -75.0783 (Pennsauken, 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 35° South in Pennsauken, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pennsauken, United States (Lat/Long 39.9717, -75.0783) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Pennsauken, 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 Pennsauken, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Pennsauken, 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 Pennsauken, 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 Pennsauken, United States
Pennsauken, New Jersey is located in a relatively flat area with slight undulations. The topography of the region is characterized by low-lying plains, with some minor hills and valleys. The highest point in Pennsauken Township is only about 75 feet above sea level.
The Delaware River runs along the western edge of Pennsauken, providing a potential source of water for cleaning solar panels if necessary. However, it's important to note that proximity to bodies of water may also increase the risk of flooding or other weather-related damage.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with open spaces that receive abundant sunlight would be ideal. In and around Pennsauken, such places could include agricultural lands or unused industrial properties which are flat and devoid of shading from trees or buildings.
Also worth considering are brownfield sites - previously developed lands that are not currently in use. These sites can often be repurposed for renewable energy projects without disrupting natural habitats or prime agricultural land.
Finally, rooftops on large commercial buildings or warehouses could also be suitable for solar PV installation as they typically offer large uninterrupted surface areas exposed to sunlight.
However, any decision on where to install large-scale solar PV should consider multiple factors including local climate conditions (like average hours of sunshine), regulatory environment (local zoning laws), power transmission infrastructure among others apart from just topography.
It's recommended to conduct a detailed site-specific feasibility study before deciding on an exact location for setting up a largescale solar PV system.
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: Wednesday 10th of July 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.
