Solar PV Analysis of Wakefield, United States
Wakefield, Massachusetts is a decent location for generating solar power throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can produce from a solar panel depends on how much sunlight it receives. In Wakefield, during the summer and spring seasons, each kilowatt of installed solar can generate roughly 5.75 and 5.42 kilowatt-hours per day respectively which is quite good. However, in autumn and winter, that number drops to about 3.35 and 2.01 kilowatt-hours per day respectively.
This means that you'll get more energy from your solar panels in the longer daylight hours of spring and summer than in autumn or winter when days are shorter with less sun exposure.
To maximize your year-round solar production at this location, it's best to tilt your panels at an angle of about 37 degrees facing south if you have a fixed panel installation setup.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect your energy production such as weather conditions like snowfall or heavy cloud cover which are common in Massachusetts winters; these conditions can block sunlight reaching the panels thus reducing their output significantly.
But don't worry! You can take preventative measures to ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regularly clean off any snow accumulation on the panels: This will help maintain their efficiency even during snowy periods.
2) Install a system with tracking capabilities: These systems follow the sun's path across the sky maximizing exposure to sunlight hence increasing overall productivity.
3) Consider installing additional capacity to offset lower winter production: Having extra panels will help compensate for lower output during darker months.
Remember though - while these strategies may improve performance they also add costs so it's important to weigh up whether they're worth implementing based on individual circumstances and budget considerations.
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 Wakefield
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.4945, Longitude: -71.0715 (Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wakefield, United States (Lat/Long 42.4945, -71.0715) 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, 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 | 35° 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, United States
Wakefield is situated in Massachusetts, United States. The topography around Wakefield is primarily flat to gently rolling terrain with a few small hilly areas and some bodies of water such as lakes and ponds. The region also has several forested areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and relatively flat terrains are most suitable because they allow for easy installation and maximum sunlight exposure. Therefore, the following areas would be potentially suitable:
1. Open fields or farmland: If there's any unused or underutilized farmland around Wakefield, these could be ideal for large-scale solar farms due to their typically flat terrain.
2. Industrial zones: Unused land in industrial zones can also be used for installing solar panels.
3. Rooftops of large buildings: Large commercial or industrial buildings often have substantial rooftop space that can accommodate significant numbers of solar panels.
4. Brownfields or landfill sites: These are often considered good locations for solar farms as they may not have many other viable uses due to contamination issues but are usually clear of trees or tall structures that could block sunlight.
5. Over parking lots: Solar panel installations over parking lots not only utilize otherwise wasted space but also provide shade for vehicles beneath them.
However, it's important to note that the suitability of these locations would depend on various factors including local zoning laws, environmental impact assessments, proximity to power grids etc., which need thorough evaluation before setting up a large-scale PV system.
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: Monday 25th of March 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.
