Solar PV Analysis of Presque Isle, United States
Presque Isle, Maine is a decent place to generate solar energy year-round because of its location in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, the amount of electricity you can produce from solar panels varies throughout the year due to seasonal changes in sunlight.
In simple terms, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed at this location, you can expect to produce about 5.83 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day during summer and around 5.18 kWh/day in spring - these are your best seasons for generating solar power here. In autumn and winter though, production drops down significantly with only 2.83 kWh/day expected in fall and just 1.72 kWh/day during winter.
To maximize your total yearly output from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 40 degrees facing south - this allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
However, there might be some local factors that could potentially hinder your ability to generate electricity from solar PV systems in Presque Isle. For instance, Maine has long winters with heavy snowfall which could cover up your panels and reduce their output or even damage them if not properly maintained.
So when installing a system here it would be important to consider measures like having an easy way to clear off snow without damaging the panels; perhaps by installing them at an angle where snow slides off easily or using specialized tools for panel cleaning.
Also bear in mind that while summers are good for generation they also have frequent cloudy days which can reduce output but not significantly enough to deter installation altogether considering other seasons' performance especially springtime which is quite productive too.
Lastly remember while we're talking averages here actual outputs will depend on specific weather conditions each day/season/year so it's always good idea having some backup power source available just-in-case.
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 Presque Isle
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.6828, Longitude: -68.0169 (Presque Isle, 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 40° South in Presque Isle, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Presque Isle, United States (Lat/Long 46.6828, -68.0169) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Presque Isle, 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 Presque Isle, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 39° 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 Presque Isle, 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 Presque Isle, 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 Presque Isle, United States
Presque Isle, located in the state of Maine, United States, is characterized by a flat to gently rolling topography. The area is predominantly rural with large expanses of farmland and forests. This region has a mixed terrain that includes rivers, lakes and low hills.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, areas with flat or gently sloping land are ideal as they reduce installation costs and maximize efficiency. Therefore, the farmlands around Presque Isle could be suitable for such projects given their relatively flat terrain. Additionally, any unused industrial lands could also be potential sites for solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that the suitability of an area for solar energy generation also depends on other factors like local climate (solar irradiance), land use restrictions and proximity to transmission lines or grids. For instance, despite its northerly location which means less intense sunlight compared to more southern locations in the U.S., Presque Isle has a fairly sunny climate which makes it potentially viable for solar power generation.
It would still be necessary to conduct detailed site-specific assessments including environmental impact studies before proceeding with any large-scale solar PV project in this region.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 19th of May 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.
