Westerly, Rhode Island presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone climate.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic differences throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.08 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows closely behind with 5.73 kWh per day, offering nearly equivalent production levels. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.57 kWh per day, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.09 kWh per day. This winter output represents less than half of the spring production, highlighting the seasonal dependency of solar energy in this region. For optimal year-round energy capture, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual production by balancing the sun's varying position throughout the seasons.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several factors specific to Westerly's coastal New England location can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can completely block panels
• Frequent coastal storms and nor'easters bring heavy cloud cover
• Salt spray from the nearby Atlantic Ocean can create corrosive buildup on panels
• High humidity levels may reduce panel efficiency
• Ice formation can damage equipment and reduce output

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Panels should be mounted with adequate spacing for snow to slide off naturally, and steeper mounting angles can help prevent snow accumulation. Using marine-grade mounting hardware and regular cleaning schedules combat salt corrosion from ocean proximity. Installing microinverters or power optimizers helps maintain system performance when individual panels are partially shaded by snow or debris. Regular maintenance schedules during winter months ensure panels remain clear of snow and ice buildup that could dramatically reduce output during the already challenging low-production season. Despite these seasonal and environmental challenges, Westerly's location still provides reasonable solar potential, particularly during the spring and summer months when production peaks.

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 Westerly

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.37, Longitude: -71.8318 (Westerly, 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 36° South in Westerly, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Westerly, United States (Lat/Long 41.37, -71.8318) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Westerly, 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 Westerly, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
25° South in Summer	46° South in Autumn	56° South in Winter	34° 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 Westerly, 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 Westerly, 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 Westerly, United States

Topography Around Westerly, Rhode Island

Westerly sits in the southwestern corner of Rhode Island, positioned along the Atlantic coastline where the state meets Connecticut. The topography of this region is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively low elevation changes typical of southern New England's coastal plain. The landscape consists primarily of modest ridges and valleys carved by glacial activity during the last ice age, creating a terrain that rarely exceeds 200 feet above sea level.

The immediate coastal areas feature sandy beaches, salt marshes, and tidal ponds that extend inland for several miles. Moving away from the shore, the terrain transitions into mixed forests and agricultural fields interspersed with residential developments. The Pawcatuck River forms much of the border with Connecticut to the west, creating a natural valley system that influences the local topography.

Rocky outcroppings of granite and other metamorphic rocks appear throughout the region, remnants of the ancient bedrock that forms the foundation of New England. These geological features create subtle variations in elevation but generally maintain the area's characteristic gentle undulations rather than steep slopes or dramatic elevation changes.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Westerly would be the cleared agricultural fields and former farmland that dot the inland areas. These open spaces typically offer several acres of relatively flat terrain with minimal tree cover and existing road access for construction and maintenance activities. Many of these fields are located on the gentle slopes and ridge tops that provide good drainage while avoiding the wetter lowland areas.

Former gravel pits and quarry sites in the region present excellent opportunities for solar development. These previously disturbed lands often feature cleared, level surfaces with established access roads and minimal environmental constraints. The rocky substrate provides stable foundations for solar mounting systems while eliminating concerns about prime agricultural soil preservation.

Industrial and commercial zones along major transportation corridors offer additional potential for large-scale installations. These areas typically have adequate electrical grid infrastructure nearby and zoning that supports utility-scale energy projects. The relatively flat terrain of many industrial sites, combined with existing road networks, makes them practical choices for solar development.

Areas to avoid would include the extensive wetlands and flood-prone zones near the Pawcatuck River and other waterways, as well as the heavily forested regions where tree clearing would be environmentally problematic and economically challenging. The immediate coastal zone, while potentially offering good solar exposure, faces restrictions due to storm surge risks, salt air corrosion concerns, and coastal protection regulations.

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.