Solar PV Analysis of Arlington, Massachusetts, United States
Arlington, Massachusetts has a decent potential for solar energy production throughout the year, although it is not perfect. The amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels varies based on the season.
In simple terms, during summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity with your solar panels - about 5.75 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.42 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power capacity.
However, during autumn and winter the output drops significantly due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles - you would get around 3.35 kWh/day in autumn and only about 2.01 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed capacity.
So if you're considering when to rely more heavily on your solar installation for power needs at this location, spring and summer are definitely the best times.
To maximize your total yearly energy production from these panels they should be tilted at an angle of 37 degrees facing southwards.
As far as local factors that could impact your solar panel efficiency go, Arlington's climate is characterized by cold winters which could lead to snow accumulation on the panels reducing their effectiveness. Regular maintenance such as clearing off any snow or debris accumulated on the panels will help ensure maximum sunlight absorption year-round.
Additionally, Arlington does have its fair share of cloudy days which can reduce direct sunlight reaching your panels; however modern PV systems are designed to still operate under diffused light conditions so while there may be some reduction it won't stop production entirely.
Lastly trees or buildings causing shade would also impede performance so careful consideration should be given during installation to avoid such obstacles wherever possible or consider using microinverters which allow each panel to operate independently thus minimizing losses due to shading issues.
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 Arlington, Massachusetts
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.4188, Longitude: -71.1557 (Arlington, Massachusetts, 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 Arlington, Massachusetts, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Arlington, Massachusetts, United States (Lat/Long 42.4188, -71.1557) 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 Arlington, Massachusetts, 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 Arlington, Massachusetts, 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 Arlington, Massachusetts, 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 Arlington, Massachusetts, 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 Arlington, Massachusetts, United States
Arlington, United States is located in the state of Massachusetts and it is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The area has several small bodies of water including Spy Pond, Hill's Pond, and Arlington Reservoir. The Mystic River also runs through the city.
The topography varies across the town with some areas being relatively flat and others more hilly. Generally, the western part of Arlington tends to be hillier than the eastern part which is flatter due to its proximity to coastal plains.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat areas are usually more suitable as they require less site preparation work such as leveling and grading compared to hilly terrains. However, solar panels can still be installed on slopes or hillsides if properly engineered.
Given this information:
1) The eastern side of Arlington that is relatively flatter could potentially accommodate large scale solar PV installations.
2) Large commercial or industrial rooftops in Arlington could also be suitable for installing solar panels.
3) Open spaces such as parks or unused lands within or around Arlington may also be considered for large scale solar installations provided they receive sufficient sunlight exposure throughout the day.
4) Landfills or brownfields near Arlington could also serve as potential sites for large-scale solar projects because these types of locations often have fewer competing uses.
However, it should be noted that suitability for solar PV does not only depend on topography but other factors such as local climate (sunlight hours), land use restrictions, environmental considerations among others must all be taken into account during site selection process.
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: Thursday 4th of April 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.
