Solar Energy Potential in Tewksbury, Massachusetts

Tewksbury, Massachusetts, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The town's geographical position at 42.6028° N latitude and -71.2319° W longitude provides varying levels of solar radiation across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Tewksbury perform best during the summer months, producing an average of 5.75 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.42 kWh/day, making these two seasons the most productive for solar energy generation. Autumn sees a significant drop in production, with an average of 3.35 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output, with only 2.01 kWh/day, due to shorter daylight hours and the sun's lower position in the sky.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Tewksbury, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for seasonal variations in the sun's position.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Tewksbury's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Snow accumulation: Tewksbury experiences snowy winters, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps shed snow more easily, and some systems include snow sensors to alert owners when manual clearing is necessary. 2. Tree shading: The area's abundant vegetation may cast shadows on solar panels. Careful site assessment and strategic tree trimming can help minimize this issue. 3. Cloudy days: New England weather patterns can lead to extended periods of cloud cover, particularly in late fall and winter. While modern solar panels can still produce energy on cloudy days, output will be reduced. Using high-efficiency panels and incorporating energy storage solutions can help mitigate the impact of cloudy periods. By addressing these factors during the planning and installation phases, solar energy systems in Tewksbury can achieve optimal performance and provide a reliable source of renewable energy throughout the year.

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 Tewksbury

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.6028, Longitude: -71.2319 (Tewksbury, 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 Tewksbury, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tewksbury, United States (Lat/Long 42.6028, -71.2319) 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 Tewksbury, 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 Tewksbury, 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
26° 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 Tewksbury, 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 Tewksbury, 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 Tewksbury, United States

The topography around Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is characterized by gently rolling hills and low-lying areas typical of the New England region. Located in the Merrimack Valley, Tewksbury sits on relatively flat terrain with some subtle elevation changes. The landscape is a mix of suburban development, wooded areas, and scattered wetlands. To the north and east of Tewksbury, the land gradually slopes down towards the Merrimack River, which forms part of the town's northern border. This area features some floodplains and marshy sections near the river. To the south and west, the terrain becomes slightly more undulating, with small hills and valleys creating a modest variation in elevation. The region around Tewksbury is dotted with numerous ponds, streams, and small rivers, contributing to its diverse topography. These water features have shaped the land over time, creating natural drainage patterns and influencing local ecosystems.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. One potentially suitable area for solar PV development could be found in the more rural sections to the southwest of Tewksbury, where there are larger tracts of open land and fewer residential developments. These areas often feature former agricultural fields or cleared spaces that could accommodate solar arrays without significant land alterations. Another promising location might be found in the industrial zones along the town's eastern edge, near Interstate 93. These areas typically have large, flat rooftops on commercial buildings that could be repurposed for solar installations without consuming additional ground space. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. Additionally, careful planning would be required to ensure that such developments do not negatively impact the region's natural beauty or ecological balance.

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.