Solar PV Analysis of Bartlett, United States
Bartlett, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar output varies significantly across seasons, with peak production during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer proves to be the most productive season for solar energy in Bartlett, with an average daily output of 6.28 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.34 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.45 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.41 kWh/day.
The substantial variation between seasons indicates that Bartlett's solar potential is heavily influenced by the changing daylight hours and sun angles throughout the year. The long, sunny days of summer provide ideal conditions for solar energy production, while the shorter, often overcast days of winter present challenges.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bartlett, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors can impact solar production in Bartlett:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Cloudy days, particularly common in autumn and winter, can decrease output
- Potential shading from nearby trees or buildings may affect some installations
To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels with a slightly steeper angle to promote snow sliding off, use high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions, and carefully assess the installation site for potential shading issues. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help ensure optimal performance year-round.
While Bartlett's location presents some challenges for solar energy production, particularly during the winter months, the strong performance in spring and summer makes it a viable option for renewable energy generation. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to local energy needs.
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 Bartlett
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.9778, Longitude: -88.2018 (Bartlett, 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 37° South in Bartlett, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bartlett, United States (Lat/Long 41.9778, -88.2018) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Bartlett, 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 Bartlett, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Bartlett, 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 Bartlett, 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 Bartlett, United States
The topography around Bartlett, Illinois (located at 41.9778°N, 88.2018°W) is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Midwest United States. This area is part of the larger Chicago metropolitan region and sits within the Fox River Valley. The landscape is primarily composed of low-lying plains with subtle elevation changes, creating a mostly flat to slightly undulating surface.
The surrounding region was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in a mix of small hills, shallow depressions, and occasional wetland areas. The elevation in and around Bartlett generally ranges from about 750 to 850 feet above sea level, with only minor variations across the landscape.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors should be considered:
- Open, flat land: The relatively level terrain in the vicinity of Bartlett is generally favorable for solar farms, as it requires minimal grading and preparation.
- Agricultural areas: Farmland to the west and northwest of Bartlett could potentially be repurposed for solar installations, provided there are no conflicts with local zoning or agricultural preservation efforts.
- Former industrial sites: Any nearby brownfield sites or abandoned industrial areas could be ideal locations for solar farms, as they often have existing infrastructure and are already zoned for development.
- Areas with minimal shading: Locations away from tall buildings, dense forests, or significant topographical features that could cast shadows would be preferable.
While the immediate surroundings of Bartlett are largely suburban, moving further out into the less densely populated areas to the west and northwest might offer more opportunities for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas typically have more open land and fewer obstacles that could impede solar energy collection.
It's important to note that any specific site selection would require detailed analysis of local regulations, grid connection possibilities, and environmental impact assessments. Additionally, while the topography is generally suitable, other factors such as local climate, cloud cover, and seasonal variations in sunlight would also play crucial roles in determining the most optimal locations for solar PV projects in the region.
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: Friday 4th of October 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
