Solar PV Analysis of West Roxbury, United States
West Roxbury, Massachusetts, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.
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, yielding 5.42 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent conditions for solar energy production, with longer days and more direct sunlight.
Autumn sees a significant drop in output, producing 3.35 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest generation, with only 2.01 kWh/day. This substantial seasonal variation is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where shorter days and lower sun angles in winter reduce solar efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in West Roxbury, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 37-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors can impact solar production in West Roxbury:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- New England's variable weather patterns, including frequent cloud cover, may affect consistent energy generation.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal, can also help maintain optimal performance.
Conclusion
While West Roxbury experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, it still offers a viable location for solar PV installations. The strong performance in spring and summer can offset the reduced winter production, making year-round solar energy generation feasible with proper system design and maintenance.
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 West Roxbury
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.2783, Longitude: -71.1593 (West Roxbury, 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 West Roxbury, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in West Roxbury, United States (Lat/Long 42.2783, -71.1593) 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 West Roxbury, 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 West Roxbury, 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 West Roxbury, 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 West Roxbury, 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 West Roxbury, United States
West Roxbury, located in Massachusetts, United States, is situated in an area with a varied topography. The landscape is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, small valleys, and relatively flat areas. This region is part of the larger New England coastal plain, which transitions from the Atlantic coastline to more elevated inland areas.
The terrain around West Roxbury features a combination of low-lying areas and modest elevations. To the east, the land slopes gradually towards the coast, while to the west, it begins to rise more noticeably as it approaches the foothills of central Massachusetts. The area is dotted with numerous small ponds, streams, and wetlands, which contribute to its diverse topography.
In terms of largescale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the more open and flat regions surrounding West Roxbury. These areas would provide the necessary space and consistent sunlight exposure for effective solar energy production. Some potential locations to consider include:
- Former agricultural lands or cleared areas to the southwest of West Roxbury, where there may be larger expanses of open space.
- Industrial or commercial zones on the outskirts of nearby towns, which often have flat rooftops or unused land that could accommodate solar panels.
- Reclaimed landfills or brownfield sites in the greater Boston area, which are increasingly being repurposed for renewable energy projects.
It's important to note that while the topography around West Roxbury is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid connectivity would also need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for largescale solar projects.
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: Friday 16th of August 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.
