Harrison, New York, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a viable but variable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output fluctuates significantly, with peak production occurring during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.15 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.69 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.69 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.20 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Harrison experiences strong solar potential during the warmer months, making it particularly suitable for solar energy production from late spring through early fall. However, the significant drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Harrison, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 36-degree tilt angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Harrison's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snowfall: Winter snow accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow-shedding systems can mitigate this issue.
• Tree cover: The area's vegetation might cast shadows on panels, particularly in residential areas. Careful site selection and tree trimming can help maximize sun exposure.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, Harrison residents can optimize their solar PV systems for consistent, year-round energy production. Despite the seasonal variations, the location's overall solar potential makes it a worthwhile investment for those looking to harness renewable energy.

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 Harrison, New York

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.9715, Longitude: -73.722 (Harrison, New York, 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 Harrison, New York, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harrison, New York, United States (Lat/Long 40.9715, -73.722) 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 Harrison, New York, 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 Harrison, New York, 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
24° 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 Harrison, New York, 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 Harrison, New York, 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 Harrison, New York, United States

The topography around Harrison, United States, located at coordinates 40.9715°N, 73.722°W, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and relatively flat areas typical of the coastal regions of New York state. This area is situated in Westchester County, just northeast of New York City, and is part of the larger New York metropolitan area. The landscape in and around Harrison features a blend of suburban development and pockets of natural terrain. The town itself is nestled in a valley, with elevation gradually increasing as you move away from the center. To the east and west, the land rises into low hills, creating a subtle undulating pattern across the region. These hills are generally not steep, but provide some variation to the otherwise modest terrain. Water features also play a role in shaping the local topography. The Mamaroneck River flows through Harrison, carving a shallow valley as it makes its way south towards Long Island Sound. Several small streams and brooks feed into this river, creating minor depressions and valleys throughout the area.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require large, open spaces with minimal shading and relatively flat terrain. While the immediate vicinity of Harrison is largely developed, there are potential areas in the broader region that could be suitable: Former industrial sites or brownfields in nearby towns might offer opportunities for solar development. These areas often have the advantage of being already cleared and relatively flat, with existing infrastructure connections. Agricultural land in the more rural parts of Westchester County, particularly to the north and northeast of Harrison, could potentially accommodate large-scale solar installations. However, this would need to be balanced against the preservation of farmland and local agricultural interests. Open spaces along major transportation corridors, such as areas adjacent to highways or railway lines, might be suitable for linear solar installations. These areas are often already disturbed and could provide good access for construction and maintenance. It's important to note that while the topography around Harrison is generally favorable for solar PV, the high level of urban and suburban development in the region may limit the availability of large, contiguous areas for utility-scale solar farms. Any potential projects 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!

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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.