Stratham, New Hampshire is located in the Northern Temperate Zone and experiences significant seasonal variation in solar energy production, making it a moderately suitable location for year-round solar PV generation.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows a clear seasonal pattern. Summer provides the highest energy production at 5.75 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring follows closely behind with 5.32 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly equivalent performance. Autumn production drops to 3.23 kWh per day per kW, representing a moderate decline from peak season. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.91 kWh per day per kW, which is typical for northern temperate locations during the shorter, cloudier winter months. For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle is 37 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round solar production.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Stratham could impact solar energy generation:

• Snow accumulation during New Hampshire winters can cover solar panels and significantly reduce production
• Ice formation on panels creates similar blockage issues
• Frequent cloud cover during winter months contributes to reduced solar irradiance
• Coastal proximity may increase humidity and salt air exposure, potentially affecting panel efficiency over time
• Deciduous trees losing leaves in autumn and winter can actually improve solar access during lower-production months

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies can help:

• Install panels at steeper angles (closer to the recommended 37 degrees) to encourage snow and ice to slide off more easily
• Ensure adequate spacing between panel rows to prevent shading and allow for snow removal access
• Choose high-quality mounting systems and panels rated for harsh weather conditions
• Consider anti-reflective coatings that perform well in humid conditions
• Plan for safe snow removal procedures or invest in heating elements for critical installations
• Position arrays away from large deciduous trees that could cause summer shading

Overall, while Stratham experiences the typical challenges of northern climates, proper installation techniques can help maintain reasonable solar production throughout the year, with excellent performance during the longer days of spring and summer.

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 Stratham

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.0206, Longitude: -70.9049 (Stratham, 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 Stratham, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stratham, United States (Lat/Long 43.0206, -70.9049) 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 Stratham, 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 Stratham, 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	58° 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 Stratham, 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 Stratham, 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 Stratham, United States

Topographical Features of the Stratham Region

Stratham sits in the southeastern coastal region of New Hampshire, positioned within the Seacoast area where rolling hills meet tidal marshlands. The terrain around this location is characterized by gently undulating topography typical of New England's coastal plain, with elevations generally ranging from sea level along the tidal areas to modest hills reaching approximately 200 to 300 feet above sea level inland. The landscape features a mix of glacially-formed drumlins and kettle ponds, remnants of the last ice age that carved much of New England's current topography. These rounded hills create a series of south-facing slopes that are particularly well-suited for solar installations, as they naturally orient toward the sun's path across the southern sky. Between these hills lie numerous wetlands, small ponds, and seasonal streams that drain toward the Piscataqua River system and Great Bay estuary. Moving inland from the immediate Stratham area, the terrain gradually rises toward the foothills of New Hampshire's interior, while heading east toward the coast, the land flattens into salt marshes and tidal flats. The soil composition varies from well-drained sandy loam on the higher elevations to clay and organic soils in the lowland areas, with bedrock typically found several feet below the surface.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for substantial solar photovoltaic installations in the Stratham vicinity would be the cleared agricultural fields and former farmland situated on the south-facing slopes of the area's drumlins. These elevated areas offer several advantages including natural drainage, reduced risk of flooding, and optimal solar exposure throughout the day. The gently sloping terrain on these hills provides excellent conditions for ground-mounted solar arrays while minimizing the need for extensive site preparation or grading. Former agricultural areas in nearby towns such as Exeter, Newfields, and Kensington present particularly attractive opportunities, as these locations often feature large contiguous parcels of relatively flat to gently rolling cleared land. The slightly higher elevations in these areas, typically 100 to 250 feet above sea level, place them well above any flood-prone zones while maintaining reasonable access to existing electrical infrastructure. Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development include the numerous wetlands, conservation lands, and steep-sloped areas that dot the region. The tidal marshes and areas within the 100-year floodplain present obvious challenges, while heavily forested areas would require extensive clearing that might face environmental restrictions. North-facing slopes and areas with significant tree cover that would create shading issues should also be avoided. The proximity to existing electrical transmission infrastructure along major roadways such as Route 101, Route 108, and Interstate 95 makes certain parcels particularly attractive for utility-scale development. Areas near these transportation corridors often have better access to electrical grid connection points while remaining accessible for construction and maintenance activities.

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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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.