Plymouth, New Hampshire, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. The location's potential for solar PV production varies significantly across the seasons, reflecting the region's distinct climate patterns.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 5.72 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.23 kWh per day. These seasons offer excellent conditions for solar energy production, with long days and typically clearer skies. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, dropping to 3.17 kWh per day. This reduction is largely due to shorter daylight hours and increased cloud cover as the region transitions into colder months. Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy generation in Plymouth, with daily output plummeting to just 1.88 kWh per kW. The combination of short days, low sun angle, and frequent snow cover significantly impairs solar panel efficiency during this season.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Plymouth, panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impede solar production in Plymouth: 1. Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency. 2. Frequent cloud cover, especially in autumn and winter, can diminish solar output. 3. Tree shading may be an issue in this forested region. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow shedding
• Use snow-clearing tools or heating elements for panels
• Implement microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Conduct a thorough site assessment to avoid tree shading

While Plymouth's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help maximize output, particularly during the highly productive summer and spring 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 Plymouth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.7574, Longitude: -71.6881 (Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Plymouth, United States (Lat/Long 43.7574, -71.6881) 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, 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
27° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	58° 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, United States

The topography around Plymouth, United States (located at latitude 43.7574 and longitude -71.6881) is characterized by a diverse landscape typical of central New Hampshire. This region is part of the Lakes Region and sits at the southern edge of the White Mountains, creating a picturesque and varied terrain.

The area surrounding Plymouth features a mix of rolling hills, valleys, and low mountains. The Pemigewasset River flows through the town, carving out a valley that provides some flatter areas. To the east and northeast, the landscape becomes more mountainous as it transitions into the White Mountain National Forest. The nearby Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee contribute to the region's reputation as a scenic, lake-dotted area.

In terms of elevation, Plymouth itself sits at around 500 feet (152 meters) above sea level. However, the surrounding terrain can vary significantly, with some nearby peaks reaching heights of over 2,000 feet (610 meters). This variability in elevation creates a patchwork of slopes, plateaus, and valleys throughout the region.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require relatively flat, open spaces with good sun exposure. Given the topography of the Plymouth area, the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV would likely be:

1. The flatter areas along the Pemigewasset River valley, particularly to the south of Plymouth where the terrain tends to level out.
2. Former agricultural lands or cleared areas on the gentler slopes of surrounding hills, especially those with a southern exposure.
3. Plateaus or broader hilltops that offer sufficient flat space and are not heavily forested.

It's important to note that while the varied topography of the region may present some challenges for large-scale solar installations, it also offers opportunities for smaller, distributed solar projects that can take advantage of well-positioned slopes and clearings. Any solar development in this area would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, zoning regulations, and the region's scenic value, which is important to both residents and the tourism industry.

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.