Solar PV Analysis of Stewartstown, United States
Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar output varies significantly across seasons, with peak production during summer months and reduced output in winter.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.43 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.64 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.77 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.26 kWh/day.
This seasonal variation indicates that Stewartstown's solar potential is most favorable from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Stewartstown, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and seasonal sun path variations.
Environmental Considerations
While Stewartstown's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact system performance:
- Snow accumulation in winter months may temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional cloudy or overcast days, particularly in autumn and winter, can decrease daily output
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a slightly steeper angle to promote snow shedding and using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal and panel cleaning, can help ensure optimal performance year-round.
Overall, while Stewartstown may not offer ideal conditions for solar energy production throughout the entire year, it still presents a viable opportunity for renewable energy generation, particularly during the 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 Stewartstown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.7704, Longitude: -76.5979 (Stewartstown, 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 34° South in Stewartstown, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stewartstown, United States (Lat/Long 39.7704, -76.5979) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Stewartstown, 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 Stewartstown, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Stewartstown, 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 Stewartstown, 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 Stewartstown, United States
The topography around Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, in the United States, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the Piedmont region. This area is situated in the transition zone between the flatter coastal plains to the east and the more rugged Appalachian Mountains to the west. The landscape features a mix of farmland, wooded areas, and small streams that wind through the countryside.
The terrain in this region is generally mild, with elevations ranging from about 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The hills are not particularly steep or high, which creates a pleasant, undulating landscape. The area is dotted with small towns, rural communities, and scattered farmsteads, interspersed with patches of forest and open fields.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically include flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure. In the vicinity of Stewartstown, some of the more open agricultural areas could potentially be suitable for solar development.
The best sites for solar PV would likely be found on south-facing slopes or wide, open fields that receive ample sunlight throughout the day. Areas with minimal tree cover and few obstructions to block the sun would be preferable. Additionally, locations near existing power infrastructure, such as substations or transmission lines, could be advantageous for connecting the solar farm to the grid.
It's important to note that while the rolling topography of the region generally provides good opportunities for solar energy, site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, land use restrictions, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar PV projects in the area.
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: Sunday 6th 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.
