Solar PV Analysis of Lakewood, New Jersey, United States
Lakewood, New Jersey, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and reduced output in winter.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.05 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.47 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 3.54 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.18 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Lakewood. This disparity is primarily due to changes in daylight hours and sun angle throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar production in Lakewood, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 35-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation allows for optimal sunlight capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun and lower winter sun angles.
Environmental Considerations
While Lakewood's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional coastal storms may bring periods of heavy cloud cover
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a slightly steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using high-quality, weather-resistant solar equipment. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help maintain optimal performance.
Despite these challenges, Lakewood's location offers a favorable environment for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early fall. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide significant energy output throughout the year, contributing to sustainable energy goals in the region.
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 Lakewood, New Jersey
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.0923, Longitude: -74.2252 (Lakewood, New Jersey, 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 Lakewood, New Jersey, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lakewood, New Jersey, United States (Lat/Long 40.0923, -74.2252) 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 Lakewood, New Jersey, 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 Lakewood, New Jersey, 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 Lakewood, New Jersey, 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 Lakewood, New Jersey, 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 Lakewood, New Jersey, United States
The area around Lakewood, New Jersey, is characterized by a relatively flat to gently rolling landscape typical of the New Jersey Coastal Plain. This region is part of the larger Atlantic Coastal Plain, which extends along much of the eastern United States. The topography in and around Lakewood is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from near sea level to about 100 feet above sea level.
The terrain consists primarily of sandy soils and sediments deposited over millions of years. The area is dotted with numerous small lakes, ponds, and wetlands, including Lake Carasaljo and Lake Shenandoah within Lakewood itself. Pine forests, known as the Pine Barrens, dominate much of the surrounding region, interspersed with areas of oak forest and coastal vegetation.
To the east of Lakewood, the land gradually slopes towards the Atlantic Ocean, with coastal marshes and barrier islands forming the shoreline about 10 miles away. To the west, the terrain remains relatively flat, with slight increases in elevation as you move further inland.
Areas Suited for Large-Scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Lakewood, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would have the following characteristics:
1. Open, flat terrain: The generally flat topography of the region is advantageous for solar installations. Areas with minimal slope and few obstructions would be most suitable.
2. Cleared land: While much of the region is forested, there are cleared areas that could be repurposed for solar farms. Former agricultural lands or brownfield sites would be particularly suitable to minimize environmental impact.
3. Proximity to existing infrastructure: Areas close to existing power lines and substations would be preferred to reduce the cost of connecting to the grid.
4. Away from wetlands and protected areas: The Pine Barrens and coastal wetlands are ecologically sensitive and protected, so areas away from these would be more appropriate.
5. Adequate sunlight exposure: While the entire region receives similar amounts of sunlight, areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings would be ideal.
Given these factors, some of the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations near Lakewood might include:
- Cleared lands to the west and southwest of Lakewood, where there are fewer wetlands and more open spaces.
- Former industrial or commercial sites in nearby towns that are no longer in use.
- Large, open areas along major highways like the Garden State Parkway or Interstate 195, where land has already been cleared for development.
- Repurposed agricultural lands in the surrounding rural areas, particularly those that are no longer actively farmed.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations before proceeding.
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: Friday 9th of August 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.
