Birdseye, Indiana, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. The location experiences significant seasonal variation in solar output, with summer producing nearly three times more energy than winter months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak solar generation season at this location, producing 6.28 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This represents the ideal time for solar energy production when the sun is highest in the sky and daylight hours are longest. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.48 kWh per day per kW, making it another excellent period for solar generation. The combination of increasing sun angle and generally clear spring weather contributes to strong performance during this time. Autumn shows moderate production at 3.86 kWh per day per kW, reflecting the declining sun angle and shorter days as the season progresses toward winter. Winter presents the most challenging conditions for solar generation, producing only 2.15 kWh per day per kW. This represents less than half the output of autumn and roughly one-third of summer production.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations at Birdseye, Indiana, the ideal tilt angle is 33 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round solar production. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year and weighting them according to solar irradiance data to determine the optimal compromise for all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several local factors could potentially impact solar production at this Indiana location:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can block panels and significantly reduce output
• Ice formation on panels creates similar blockage issues
• Midwest weather patterns bring frequent cloud cover and storms
• High humidity levels common in the Ohio River Valley can reduce solar efficiency
• Seasonal fog, particularly in autumn and winter, can diminish solar irradiance

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies can help: Installing panels at steeper angles (closer to the recommended 33 degrees) helps snow and ice slide off more easily. Ensuring adequate spacing between panel rows prevents shading when snow accumulates on lower panels. Choosing panels with anti-reflective coatings and robust frames helps maintain efficiency in high humidity conditions. Installing micro-inverters or power optimizers can minimize the impact when individual panels are partially shaded by snow or debris. Regular maintenance scheduling becomes particularly important during winter months to clear snow and ice buildup. Installing monitoring systems helps identify when panels need cleaning or when weather-related issues are impacting performance. Proper electrical design with adequate safety margins accounts for the significant seasonal variation in output, ensuring the system operates efficiently year-round despite the nearly three-fold difference between winter and summer production levels.

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 Birdseye

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.3167, Longitude: -86.6958 (Birdseye, 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 33° South in Birdseye, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Birdseye, United States (Lat/Long 38.3167, -86.6958) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Birdseye, 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 Birdseye, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° South in Summer	42° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	31° 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 Birdseye, 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 Birdseye, 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 Birdseye, United States

Topography Around Birdseye, Indiana

Birdseye sits in the rolling hills of south-central Indiana, positioned within Dubois County in a landscape characterized by gentle undulations and moderate elevation changes. The terrain around this small community reflects the broader topographical patterns of southern Indiana, where the relatively flat agricultural plains of the north gradually give way to more varied and hilly terrain as one moves toward the Ohio River valley.

The immediate area surrounding Birdseye features a mix of forested hills and cleared agricultural land, with elevations typically ranging from around 400 to 600 feet above sea level. The landscape is punctuated by numerous small creeks and tributaries that flow generally southward toward the Ohio River, creating modest valleys and ridgelines throughout the region. These waterways have carved gentle depressions in the terrain over millennia, resulting in a countryside that rolls and dips rather than presenting dramatic elevation changes.

Much of the land use in the vicinity consists of mixed farming operations, including corn and soybean fields, along with patches of deciduous forest that are characteristic of the region's temperate climate. The agricultural areas tend to occupy the flatter portions of the landscape, while steeper slopes often remain forested. This pattern creates a patchwork of open fields interspersed with wooded areas across the rolling terrain.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Birdseye would be the existing agricultural fields that occupy relatively flat or gently sloping terrain. These areas offer several advantages for solar development, including minimal grading requirements, existing road access for construction and maintenance, and generally clear sight lines that reduce shading concerns.

South-facing slopes with gradual inclines would be particularly well-suited for solar arrays, as they can maximize exposure to sunlight throughout the day while still allowing for efficient installation and maintenance practices. The agricultural fields scattered throughout the area often provide substantial contiguous acreage that could accommodate utility-scale solar facilities without requiring extensive land clearing or environmental disruption.

Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development would include the steeper forested hillsides, which would require significant clearing and grading work that could prove both environmentally problematic and economically challenging. Additionally, the numerous creek valleys and wetland areas present throughout the region would likely face regulatory restrictions and present technical challenges for solar installation.

The existing transportation infrastructure, including county roads and state highways that serve the agricultural community, would generally provide adequate access for solar development projects. The relatively stable soil conditions typical of former agricultural land would also support the foundation requirements for solar mounting systems without the complications that might arise in areas with significant slope instability or drainage issues.

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.