Spencerport, New York shows moderate potential for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone location. The solar output data reveals clear patterns that potential solar installers should understand when considering this location.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer represents the peak solar generation period at Spencerport, producing 5.95 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. This high output makes summer the most productive season for solar energy generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.16 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly as strong performance as the summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline to 2.94 kWh per day per kW, representing roughly half the summer production. Winter presents the most challenging conditions, with output dropping to just 1.57 kWh per day per kW - approximately one-quarter of summer production levels.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Spencerport, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting these angles based on actual solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Spencerport area can significantly impact solar panel performance:

• Snow accumulation: Heavy winter snowfall can completely block solar panels, eliminating energy production until snow melts or is removed
• Ice formation: Ice buildup on panels reduces light transmission and energy output
• Lake-effect weather: Proximity to Lake Ontario can increase cloud cover and precipitation, reducing available sunlight
• Seasonal cloud cover: Extended periods of overcast skies during winter months further reduce already limited solar potential

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges:

• Steeper tilt angles: While 37 degrees is optimal for year-round production, slightly steeper angles can help snow slide off panels more easily
• Panel heating systems: Electric heating elements can melt ice and snow, though this reduces net energy production
• Strategic positioning: Installing panels away from trees or structures that might cast shadows, especially important during winter when the sun is lower
• Quality mounting systems: Robust mounting that can handle snow loads and allows for safe manual snow removal when necessary
• Anti-reflective coatings: Special panel coatings can improve light absorption during overcast conditions

The location offers reasonable solar potential, particularly from spring through early autumn, but winter performance limitations mean that grid-tied systems or battery backup become important considerations for year-round energy needs.

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 Spencerport

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.1865, Longitude: -77.8028 (Spencerport, 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 Spencerport, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Spencerport, United States (Lat/Long 43.1865, -77.8028) 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 Spencerport, 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 Spencerport, 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
27° South in Summer	47° South in Autumn	57° South in Winter	36° 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 Spencerport, 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 Spencerport, 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 Spencerport, United States

Topographical Features of the Spencerport Region

The Spencerport area sits within the relatively flat terrain of western New York State, positioned between Lake Ontario to the north and the Finger Lakes region to the south. This location places it on the broad, gently rolling plain that characterizes much of the Lake Ontario shoreline. The elevation around Spencerport typically ranges from approximately 400 to 600 feet above sea level, with the landscape featuring subtle undulations rather than dramatic elevation changes. The topography reflects the area's glacial history, with the retreating ice sheets having left behind a relatively smooth terrain punctuated by occasional drumlin formations. These elongated hills, created by glacial deposits, create modest rises in the otherwise level landscape. The Ridge Road area, running east-west through the region, follows one of these ancient beach ridges formed when Lake Ontario's water levels were higher.

Drainage and Waterways

Several small creeks and streams meander through the area, flowing generally northward toward Lake Ontario. These waterways have carved gentle valleys into the landscape, though none create particularly deep or steep-sided channels. The drainage patterns contribute to the area's gently rolling character, with most slopes remaining gradual and manageable for development purposes.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The relatively flat topography throughout the Spencerport region makes much of the surrounding area potentially suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most promising locations would be the broad, open agricultural fields that dominate the landscape south and east of the village. These areas offer expansive tracts of relatively level ground with minimal shading from natural features. The drumlin formations, while creating some variation in elevation, generally have gentle slopes that could accommodate solar arrays when properly oriented. The southern faces of these low hills could be particularly advantageous for solar installations, as they would naturally face toward the sun's path across the sky. Areas immediately adjacent to the Lake Ontario shoreline might face challenges from increased humidity and potential weather-related concerns, making the inland agricultural zones more attractive for solar development. The open farmland extending toward the towns of Hilton to the east and Brockport to the west presents ideal conditions with minimal topographical obstacles and good accessibility via existing road networks. The flat to gently rolling terrain means that large solar installations would require minimal grading or site preparation compared to more mountainous regions. This characteristic, combined with the area's agricultural land use patterns that have already cleared most natural vegetation, creates favorable conditions for utility-scale solar projects throughout much of the surrounding countryside.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.