The location of Bellwood, Illinois, in the United States, offers a varied potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal changes that significantly impact solar PV output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Bellwood, with an impressive daily output of 6.27 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high yield is due to longer daylight hours and the sun's higher position in the sky. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.30 kWh per day per kW. The increasing daylight and warming temperatures contribute to this substantial output. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar production, with 3.39 kWh per day per kW. This reduction is attributed to shorter days and the sun's lower angle in the sky. Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy generation in Bellwood, with only 2.05 kWh per day per kW. The combination of shorter days, lower sun angle, and potential snow cover significantly impacts solar panel efficiency during this season.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bellwood, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Bellwood's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Snow accumulation in winter can reduce panel efficiency. Regular snow removal or installing panels at a steeper angle can help mitigate this issue. 2. Cloud cover, particularly during autumn and winter, may impact solar output. Using high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production even in less-than-ideal conditions. 3. Potential shading from nearby trees or buildings should be assessed during installation. Careful placement and possibly trimming obstructions can ensure optimal sunlight exposure. By addressing these factors and optimizing panel placement, Bellwood residents can make the most of their solar PV systems, particularly during the highly productive summer and spring months. While winter presents challenges, the overall yearly potential makes solar energy a viable option in this location.

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 Bellwood

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.8828, Longitude: -87.8732 (Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bellwood, United States (Lat/Long 41.8828, -87.8732) 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 Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, 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
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 Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, United States

The topography around Bellwood, United States, located at coordinates 41.8828°N, 87.8732°W, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Midwest region. This area, situated in Cook County, Illinois, is part of the greater Chicago metropolitan area and lies within the vast Prairie Plains that stretch across much of the central United States. The landscape surrounding Bellwood is predominantly level, with only subtle variations in elevation. The terrain gently slopes towards Lake Michigan to the east, though the lake itself is about 15 miles away from Bellwood. The area's flatness is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which smoothed out the land and deposited rich soil across the region.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Bellwood, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar farms, as it reduces the need for extensive land preparation and allows for uniform panel placement. Areas to the west and southwest of Bellwood may be more suitable for large-scale solar PV projects. These directions lead away from the densely populated Chicago area, potentially offering more open spaces and lower land costs. The communities of Hillside, Westchester, and La Grange Park, located within a few miles of Bellwood, might have suitable parcels of land for solar development. However, it's important to note that the Chicago area is highly urbanized, which can limit the availability of large, contiguous plots of land necessary for utility-scale solar farms. As a result, smaller-scale solar installations on rooftops, parking lots, and brownfield sites might be more practical in this region. The relatively flat topography of the area surrounding Bellwood does provide an advantage for solar energy production, as it minimizes shading issues and allows for optimal panel orientation. Nevertheless, potential developers would need to carefully consider factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental impact when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar PV projects in this 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!

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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.