Solar PV Analysis of White Plains, United States
White Plains, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 41.0496 and longitude -73.7782 provides varying levels of solar output across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panel efficiency in White Plains fluctuates significantly with the changing seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.86 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.45 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.46 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output, with only 1.99 kWh/day per kW installed.
Optimal Installation Angle
For fixed panel installations in White Plains, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 36 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.
Peak Generation Periods
The most favorable times for solar energy generation in White Plains are from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. The period from May to September typically offers the best conditions for solar power production.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While White Plains generally provides suitable conditions for solar energy, there are some factors that could potentially impact production:
- Snowfall: Winter months can bring significant snowfall, which may temporarily cover panels and reduce output.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences partly cloudy conditions throughout the year, which can intermittently affect solar generation.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar panels in White Plains:
Install panels at the recommended 36-degree angle to facilitate natural snow sliding and maximize year-round production. Use high-quality, weather-resistant panels capable of withstanding local climate conditions. Implement a regular maintenance schedule, including snow removal during winter months. Consider incorporating micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
By addressing these factors and optimizing panel placement, solar energy systems in White Plains can effectively harness the available sunlight 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 White Plains
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.0496, Longitude: -73.7782 (White Plains, 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 White Plains, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in White Plains, United States (Lat/Long 41.0496, -73.7782) 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 White Plains, 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 White Plains, 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 | 45° 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 White Plains, 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 White Plains, 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 White Plains, United States
The topography around White Plains, New York, is characterized by gently rolling hills and small valleys typical of the Hudson Valley region. The city itself sits on a plateau that gradually rises from the coastal areas to the east. The landscape is a mix of suburban development interspersed with patches of woodland and open spaces.
To the west of White Plains, the terrain becomes more varied as it approaches the Hudson River. Here, you'll find steeper hills and deeper valleys, with some areas featuring more dramatic elevation changes. To the east, the land gradually slopes towards the Long Island Sound, becoming flatter as it nears the coast.
The region around White Plains is not particularly mountainous, but it does have some notable hills and ridges. These features create a diverse landscape with a mix of flat areas, gentle slopes, and occasional steeper inclines. Small streams and rivers crisscross the area, carving shallow valleys into the terrain.
When considering 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 have flat or gently sloping land, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. With this in mind, some potentially suitable areas might include:
1. Open fields or former agricultural lands to the north and east of White Plains, where the terrain is generally flatter and there's less dense urban development. These areas might offer larger contiguous spaces for solar arrays.
2. Brownfield sites or former industrial areas within and around White Plains. These locations often have large, flat surfaces that could be repurposed for solar installations.
3. Gently sloping hillsides facing south or southwest, which can be found scattered throughout the region. These areas would receive optimal sunlight throughout the day.
4. Large rooftops of commercial or industrial buildings in the more developed areas. While not strictly related to topography, these surfaces could provide significant space for solar panels without requiring additional land use.
It's important to note that the densely populated nature of the area around White Plains may limit the availability of large, undeveloped spaces for extensive solar farms. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and community concerns.
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: Monday 5th 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.
