Centerville, Massachusetts offers reasonably good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though like most locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, it experiences significant seasonal variation in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this Massachusetts location varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.08 kWh per day per installed kilowatt of solar panels. Spring follows closely with 5.72 kWh per day, making these the prime solar generation seasons. Autumn sees a notable drop to 3.57 kWh per day, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.04 kWh per day. This winter figure represents roughly one-third of summer production, which is typical for northern temperate locations but still allows for meaningful energy generation year-round.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round solar production at this Centerville location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual energy output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the seasons and the area's specific latitude.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Centerville can impact solar panel performance and should be considered during installation:

• Coastal salt air: Being located on Cape Cod, panels face exposure to salt-laden ocean air that can cause corrosion over time
• Snow accumulation: Winter snow can completely block solar panels, eliminating production until it melts or is removed
• Coastal storms: The area experiences nor'easters and occasional hurricanes that can damage installations
• High humidity: Coastal moisture can affect electrical connections and promote corrosion

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several protective measures should be implemented. Choose marine-grade mounting hardware and electrical components specifically designed to resist salt corrosion. Install panels at the optimal 36-degree tilt, which not only maximizes energy production but also helps snow slide off more easily. Ensure proper drainage around panel edges to prevent ice formation that could damage the installation. Use high-quality sealants and weatherproofing materials rated for coastal environments. Consider installing panels with adequate spacing for air circulation to reduce moisture buildup. Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this coastal environment. Schedule periodic cleaning to remove salt deposits and inspect all connections for signs of corrosion. During winter months, plan for safe snow removal when accumulation blocks the panels for extended periods. Despite these considerations, Centerville's solar potential remains quite viable, especially during the productive spring and summer seasons when energy demands for cooling are typically highest.

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 Centerville, Massachusetts

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6646, Longitude: -70.3452 (Centerville, Massachusetts, 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 Centerville, Massachusetts, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Centerville, Massachusetts, United States (Lat/Long 41.6646, -70.3452) 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 Centerville, Massachusetts, 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 Centerville, Massachusetts, 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 Centerville, Massachusetts, 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 Centerville, Massachusetts, 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 Centerville, Massachusetts, United States

Topography Around Centerville

Centerville is located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, positioned in a region characterized by gently rolling coastal plains and relatively modest elevation changes. The area sits on what was once the terminal moraine left by glacial activity thousands of years ago, creating a landscape of sandy soils, low hills, and numerous kettle ponds scattered throughout the region.

The immediate topography around Centerville features elevations that rarely exceed 200 feet above sea level, with most of the surrounding terrain ranging between 50 and 150 feet in elevation. The landscape consists of gradual slopes and undulating hills rather than steep inclines or dramatic elevation changes. This gentle topography extends across much of the Mid-Cape region, creating relatively stable ground conditions with good drainage due to the underlying sandy composition.

The coastline to the south features Nantucket Sound with its associated beaches, marshlands, and coastal bluffs. Moving inland from the coast, the terrain gradually rises through mixed residential and forested areas before leveling out into the characteristic Cape Cod landscape of pitch pine and oak forests interspersed with cranberry bogs, ponds, and cleared areas.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Centerville would be the relatively flat to gently sloping inland areas that lie between the more densely developed coastal zones and the environmentally sensitive wetland areas. These areas typically offer the best combination of suitable terrain, accessibility, and fewer regulatory constraints.

Former agricultural lands and cleared areas in the northern portions of Centerville and extending into neighboring Marstons Mills present excellent opportunities for solar development. These locations benefit from minimal tree cover, stable sandy soils that provide good drainage and foundation conditions, and gentle slopes that can accommodate large solar arrays without requiring extensive grading or earthwork.

Areas around Route 28 and extending northward toward Route 6 corridor offer particularly promising sites due to their combination of suitable topography and existing infrastructure access. The terrain in these locations is predominantly flat to gently rolling, with elevations that provide good exposure while remaining accessible for construction and maintenance activities.

The regions near former sand and gravel extraction sites also present viable options, as these areas have already been cleared and graded, often leaving behind relatively flat parcels with established access roads. These previously disturbed lands can be ideal for solar installations since they require minimal additional site preparation and have fewer environmental concerns compared to undeveloped natural areas.

Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development include the numerous wetlands, cranberry bogs, and areas within proximity to the many kettle ponds that dot the landscape. Additionally, the more heavily forested regions would require extensive clearing that could face environmental opposition and increased development costs. The immediate coastal zones, while offering good exposure, are typically either too developed, too environmentally sensitive, or subject to coastal regulations that would complicate large-scale 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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.