Solar PV Analysis of Sharon, United States
Sharon, Vermont is a decent spot for solar energy production year-round, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels depends on the season. In summer and spring, when there are more hours of sunlight and the sun is higher in the sky, you can expect to produce around 5.70 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer and 5.15 kWh/day in Spring for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed.
However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and the sun isn't as high up in the sky, that number drops significantly - down to about 3.05 kWh/day in Autumn and even lower at 1.73 kWh/day during Winter.
To make sure your panels get as much sunlight as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of about 38 degrees facing south if they're fixed installations.
As far as local factors that might affect your solar production go: Vermont does have its fair share of cloudy days which could limit how much sunlight reaches your panels; snowfall could also cover them up reducing their effectiveness or requiring regular cleaning; trees or other tall structures nearby might cast shadows over your setup too.
In order to mitigate these potential problems: consider installing a system that allows you to adjust panel angles throughout the year so they catch more light; keep an eye on weather forecasts so you can clean off any snow before it builds up too much; trim back any trees or other obstructions that might block out some sunshine from reaching your installation.
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 Sharon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.7745, Longitude: -72.4213 (Sharon, 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 Sharon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sharon, United States (Lat/Long 43.7745, -72.4213) 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 Sharon, 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 Sharon, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° 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 Sharon, 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 Sharon, 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 Sharon, United States
Sharon, United States is located in the state of Vermont. The topography around Sharon is characterized by rolling hills and valleys as it's part of the New England Upland within the New England province. It has a mixture of forested areas, farmlands, and residential areas.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be open fields or farmlands that receive ample sunlight throughout the day without obstruction from trees or tall buildings. It's also important to consider accessibility for installation and maintenance purposes.
However, it's crucial to note that any such project should be undertaken with careful planning to minimize environmental impact and respect local zoning regulations. In some cases, brownfield sites (previously developed land that is not currently in use) can also be considered for solar PV installations as they might have less environmental constraints compared to greenfield sites (undeveloped land).
In terms of specific locations near Sharon, this would require more detailed topographical analysis using GIS software or similar tools which can take into account factors like sun exposure (solar insolation), slope angle and direction (aspect), land use/land cover data etc.
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: Saturday 25th of May 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.
