Solar PV Analysis of Saranac, United States
In simple terms, the location at Saranac, New York is decent for generating energy through solar panels all year round, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies with the seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity (5.62 and 5.07 kilowatt-hours per day respectively) compared to autumn and winter (2.84 and 1.78 kilowatt-hours per day). This means that the best time to generate solar power in Saranac would be during longer daylight hours in spring and summer.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Saranac, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 39 degrees facing south.
As for factors that might affect your ability to generate solar power in this region: Saranac experiences seasonal weather changes which could impact production levels - snowfall during winter months may cover panels reducing their efficiency; while autumn leaves may also cause obstructions if not cleaned regularly.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regular maintenance is key - keep your panels clean from snow or leaf debris.
2) Consider installing a system that allows you to adjust the tilt angle seasonally for maximum sun exposure.
3) If possible, place your panels where they won't be shaded by trees or buildings as shadows can significantly reduce their performance.
4) Use high-quality durable equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions typical for this area such as heavy snowfalls or strong winds.
Overall though, even with these considerations taken into account, one can still make good use of solar power generation in Saranac due its relatively high sunlight availability particularly during spring and summer months.
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 Saranac
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.7069, Longitude: -73.7459 (Saranac, 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 39° South in Saranac, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saranac, United States (Lat/Long 44.7069, -73.7459) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Saranac, 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 Saranac, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° 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 | 59° 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 Saranac, 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 Saranac, 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 Saranac, United States
Saranac is located in the northeastern part of New York State, United States. The topography around Saranac consists of rolling hills, valleys, and mountains. It's part of the Adirondack region which is characterized by forested areas with numerous lakes and rivers.
The most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations would be flat or gently sloping areas that are not heavily forested to ensure maximum sunlight exposure. Areas such as farmlands or open fields would be ideal. However, it's important to consider other factors like land use regulations, proximity to transmission lines, and environmental impacts before deciding on a specific location.
The regions south of Saranac towards Plattsburgh could potentially be suitable given their relatively flatter terrain compared to the mountainous regions northwards towards Adirondack Mountains. Another potential area could be eastwards towards Lake Champlain where there are also some flat terrains.
Ultimately though, a detailed site assessment including aspects like solar irradiance levels (the amount of sun energy reaching the ground), soil type etc., would need to be conducted by experts for an accurate determination.
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: Thursday 20th of June 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.
