Lewiston, Maine, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) systems. The city's latitude and longitude coordinates (44.0969, -70.1863) place it in a region with distinct seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Lewiston varies significantly throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.62 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.12 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent opportunities for solar energy harvesting.

However, the picture changes dramatically during the colder months. Autumn sees a substantial drop in production, yielding 2.99 kWh/day. Winter presents the biggest challenge, with output plummeting to a mere 1.78 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar production in Lewiston, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 38-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal sun positions to ensure the best possible energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Lewiston faces several environmental and weather-related challenges that can impact solar energy production:

• Heavy snowfall in winter can cover panels, reducing efficiency
• Frequent cloudy days, especially in winter, limit solar exposure
• Cold temperatures can slightly decrease panel efficiency

To mitigate these issues, solar installations in Lewiston should incorporate several preventative measures. Panels should be installed at a steeper angle to facilitate snow sliding off. Regular panel cleaning and maintenance, especially after snowstorms, is crucial. Using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions can help maximize production on cloudy days. Additionally, ensuring proper insulation and ventilation of the system can help maintain optimal operating temperatures in cold weather.

In conclusion, while Lewiston's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, the strong performance in spring and summer makes it a viable option. With proper planning and preventative measures, solar PV systems can still be an effective source of renewable energy in this Maine city.

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 3038 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 Lewiston, Maine

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.0969, Longitude: -70.1863 (Lewiston, Maine, 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 Lewiston, Maine, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lewiston, Maine, United States (Lat/Long 44.0969, -70.1863) 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 Lewiston, Maine, 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 Lewiston, Maine, 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	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 Lewiston, Maine, 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 Lewiston, Maine, 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 Lewiston, Maine, United States

Lewiston, located in the state of Maine, United States, is situated in a region characterized by diverse topography. The city itself lies along the banks of the Androscoggin River, which has carved a valley through the surrounding landscape over millions of years. This river valley creates a relatively flat area within the city limits, but the terrain becomes more varied as you move away from the riverbanks. To the west and northwest of Lewiston, the land gradually rises into rolling hills and small mountains. These elevations are part of the foothills of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. The terrain in this direction becomes increasingly rugged, with a mix of forested areas and open fields. To the east and southeast, the landscape is generally flatter, with more open spaces and farmland interspersed with patches of woodland.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The areas to the east and southeast of Lewiston show the most promise for large-scale solar PV projects. These regions tend to have more expansive open spaces and flatter terrain, which are advantageous for solar farm development. The gently rolling fields and cleared farmland in this direction provide opportunities for unobstructed solar panel placement and easier installation. Additionally, some of the hillsides to the west and northwest of Lewiston could potentially be suitable for solar installations, particularly those with south-facing slopes. These elevated areas may receive more direct sunlight and experience less shading from surrounding vegetation or structures. However, the more rugged terrain in this direction could present challenges for construction and maintenance of large-scale solar facilities. It's important to note that while the topography plays a significant role in determining suitable locations for solar PV, other factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to power infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar projects in the region around Lewiston.

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.