Solar PV Analysis of Watertown, United States
Watertown, Massachusetts, 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, reflecting the region's distinct climate patterns.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.75 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.42 kWh/day. These seasons provide ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer days and more direct sunlight.
Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, producing 3.35 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest generation at 2.01 kWh/day, due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar production in Watertown, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 37-degree angle facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Watertown's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Winter snow accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular snow removal or the installation of snow guards can mitigate this issue.
- Tree coverage: The area's vegetation might cast shadows on panels. Careful site assessment and strategic panel placement can minimize this impact.
Additionally, Watertown experiences occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and hurricanes. Installing sturdy mounting systems and using high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help ensure system durability and consistent performance.
Despite these challenges, with proper planning and installation, Watertown remains a viable location for solar energy production, 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 Watertown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.3725, Longitude: -71.1814 (Watertown, 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 Watertown, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Watertown, United States (Lat/Long 42.3725, -71.1814) 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown, United States
The topography around Watertown, Massachusetts is generally characterized by gently rolling terrain with some flat areas. This region is part of the larger Boston Basin, which is a low-lying area surrounded by higher hills and ridges. The landscape has been shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in a mix of small hills, shallow valleys, and some wetland areas.
Watertown itself is situated along the Charles River, which forms its southern border. The land gradually rises as you move away from the river, but the elevation changes are relatively modest. The highest points in the immediate area are typically no more than 100-200 feet above sea level. The terrain is mostly urbanized, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial development interspersed with parks and open spaces.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to consider. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require large, open spaces with minimal shading and relatively flat terrain. Given the urban nature of Watertown and its surroundings, finding suitable areas for large-scale solar projects may be challenging. However, some potential options could include:
- Former industrial sites or brownfields that have been cleared and are not currently in use. These areas often have the advantage of being relatively flat and free from obstructions.
- Large commercial or institutional rooftops, such as those on warehouses, shopping centers, or educational facilities. While not technically "large-scale," these could accommodate significant solar installations.
- Open areas along highway corridors or other transportation infrastructure, where land use is already restricted and solar panels could be installed without significantly impacting other activities.
- Agricultural land in the outlying suburbs, where some farmers might be interested in leasing portions of their property for solar development while continuing to farm the remaining land.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to comply with local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid connection requirements. Additionally, given the dense urban development in the greater Boston area, truly large-scale solar farms may need to be located further away from Watertown in more rural parts of Massachusetts or neighboring states.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 8th of September 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.
