Solar PV Analysis of Wakefield, Rhode Island, United States
Wakefield, Rhode Island is a decent location for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can produce about 6.12 kilowatt-hours per day. This drops to around 3.65 in autumn and even lower to about 2.15 in winter, before rising again to around 5.77 in spring.
This means that the best time for generating solar energy in Wakefield is during the summer and spring months when there's more sunlight available each day compared to autumn and winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees towards the south if they are fixed installations (they don't move). This will help maximize total electricity production from your panels over all four seasons.
There might be local factors that could affect how well you generate power from your panels though - things like weather or environmental conditions specific to Wakefield, Rhode Island.
For instance, it's important to consider snowfall during winter as this can cover up your panels and stop them from absorbing sunlight properly - reducing their output significantly until cleared off again. To prevent this issue it would be beneficial installing a system for removing snow efficiently without damaging the panel surface; such as using a roof rake with a soft rubber squeegee or even considering automated solutions like heated cables if feasible.
Also keep in mind any potential shading issues due to nearby trees or buildings which could block sunlight reaching your panels at certain times of day or year – so planning installation carefully regarding location on property and orientation is key here too.
Overall though Wakefield seems pretty good for generating solar power – especially during those longer daylight hours we see in summer & spring!
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, Rhode Island
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.4443, Longitude: -71.5317 (Wakefield, Rhode Island, 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 Wakefield, Rhode Island, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wakefield, Rhode Island, United States (Lat/Long 41.4443, -71.5317) 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 Wakefield, Rhode Island, 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, Rhode Island, 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 Wakefield, Rhode Island, 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, Rhode Island, 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, Rhode Island, United States
Wakefield, United States (Lat,Long: 41.4443,-71.5317) is located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The topography around Wakefield is generally flat with some gently rolling hills and coastal lowlands due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
The area has a mix of suburban and rural characteristics with residential areas interspersed with open fields and forests. There are also several bodies of water nearby including Silver Spring Lake, Tucker Pond, and the Saugatucket River.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open fields or unused agricultural lands would be ideal as they provide unobstructed access to sunlight for maximum power generation efficiency. These types of locations also minimize potential conflicts with other land use activities such as residential or commercial development.
In addition to land availability, other factors that need consideration when determining suitability for large scale solar include:
1) Sunlight exposure: Rhode Island receives an average of 4-4.5 hours of peak sun per day which makes it suitable for solar energy production.
2) Accessibility: Proximity to roads and electrical grid infrastructure can significantly influence installation costs.
3) Environmental impact: Any proposed site will have to undergo environmental assessment to ensure minimal impact on local ecosystems.
In conclusion, while specific sites would require further investigation and feasibility studies based on the above factors among others; generally speaking any large open fields or unused farmlands in Wakefield or surrounding towns could potentially be suited for largescale solar PV installations given appropriate conditions.
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 8th of April 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.
