Solar cells can work well in up state NY.
They cannot lay flat,need some angle to minimize buildup.
I am at just a bit more northerly latitude with my panels inclined at 39 degrees up from horizontal and the output is next to useless in December and January even with clean panels. At best there is a period of only two hours around noon when the sun is in a productive position. And that is only on the occasional clear day without clouds and/or fog. June and July are a different matter.