Solar PV Analysis of Quincy, United States
Quincy, Massachusetts, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 42.284 and longitude -71.0194 provides varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Quincy experiences significant fluctuations across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.75 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.42 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.35 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.01 kWh/day.
Optimal Installation Angle
For fixed panel installations in Quincy, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 37 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Peak Production Periods
The most favorable times for solar energy generation in Quincy are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring, particularly from April to May, also offers excellent conditions for solar production. These periods provide the best opportunity to maximize the return on investment for solar PV systems.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Quincy's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could impact efficiency:
- Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel output
- Coastal location may expose panels to salt air, potentially accelerating corrosion
To mitigate these challenges, installing panels at the recommended 37-degree angle can help shed snow more easily. Additionally, using corrosion-resistant materials and applying protective coatings can safeguard against salt air damage. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help ensure optimal performance throughout the year.
Despite these considerations, Quincy's solar potential remains promising, with proper planning and installation techniques allowing for effective year-round energy generation from solar PV systems.
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 Quincy
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.284, Longitude: -71.0194 (Quincy, 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 37° South in Quincy, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Quincy, United States (Lat/Long 42.284, -71.0194) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Quincy, 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 Quincy, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 Quincy, 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 Quincy, 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 Quincy, United States
The topography around Quincy, Massachusetts, is characterized by a mix of coastal lowlands and gently rolling hills. Quincy is situated on the eastern coast of Massachusetts, along the shores of Boston Harbor and Quincy Bay. The terrain in and around the city is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from sea level near the coast to about 100-200 feet above sea level in the inland areas.
The landscape is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which left behind a mix of rocky outcrops, glacial till, and sedimentary deposits. The Blue Hills, a small mountain range located just to the southwest of Quincy, represent the most significant elevation change in the area, with Great Blue Hill reaching a height of 635 feet.
The coastal areas of Quincy feature salt marshes, tidal flats, and sandy beaches, while the inland portions have a mix of urban development and pockets of forested areas. Several small rivers and streams, such as the Neponset River and Furnace Brook, flow through the region, creating some minor valleys and wetland areas.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
The most suitable locations for solar PV would be relatively flat, open areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings. Former industrial sites or brownfields in the surrounding towns and cities could be good candidates for solar installations. These areas often have large, open spaces and are already zoned for industrial use.
Some of the more rural areas to the south and southwest of Quincy, in towns like Braintree, Randolph, and Canton, might offer larger tracts of open land that could be suitable for solar farms. However, it's important to note that much of the region is densely populated and developed, which can limit the availability of large, contiguous areas for solar installations.
Rooftop solar on large commercial and industrial buildings in the area could also be a viable option for significant solar PV deployment. While not technically "large-scale" in the traditional sense, aggregating multiple rooftop installations could provide substantial solar capacity without requiring additional land use.
It's worth noting that any large-scale solar PV project in this area would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and community concerns, as the region has a rich historical and natural heritage that residents are often keen to preserve.
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 11th of October 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.
