Bloomington, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 40.4798° N latitude and 88.9922° W longitude, this location experiences varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy output in Bloomington fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 6.32 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.36 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.56 kWh/day/kW. Winter, as expected, has the lowest output at 2.34 kWh/day/kW.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal times for solar energy production in Bloomington are during the summer months, typically from June through August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring months, particularly April and May, also offer excellent solar generation potential. While autumn and winter months see reduced output, they still contribute to the overall annual energy production.

Panel Installation and Tilt Angle

For fixed panel installations in Bloomington, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 35 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Bloomington's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel output.
• Occasional severe weather events, such as hailstorms or tornadoes, may pose a risk to solar installations.

To mitigate these challenges, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off, and use durable, weather-resistant panels capable of withstanding potential hail impacts. Regular maintenance and cleaning, especially after snowfall or storms, can help maintain optimal performance.

Overall, while Bloomington may not be the most ideal location for year-round solar energy production, it still offers significant potential, particularly during spring and summer months. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a viable and beneficial energy solution for this area.

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 Bloomington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.4798, Longitude: -88.9922 (Bloomington, 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 35° South in Bloomington, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bloomington, United States (Lat/Long 40.4798, -88.9922) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, United States

The topography around Bloomington, Illinois, is characterized by gently rolling plains typical of the Midwest region of the United States. This area is part of the vast Prairie Plains, which were shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age. The landscape is predominantly flat to slightly undulating, with subtle changes in elevation across the region. Bloomington and its surrounding areas sit on what is known as the Bloomington Moraine, a ridge of glacial deposits that runs through central Illinois. This feature creates a slightly elevated area compared to the surrounding terrain, but the differences in elevation are generally modest. The city itself has an average elevation of around 830 feet (253 meters) above sea level. The area is dotted with small streams and creeks, which have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time. These waterways contribute to the subtle variations in the local topography. Despite these minor undulations, the overall impression of the region is one of expansive, open spaces with wide horizons.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Bloomington for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar development, as it minimizes the need for extensive land preparation and allows for efficient layout of solar panels. Rural areas surrounding Bloomington would be most suited for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas offer large, open tracts of land with minimal shading from trees or buildings, which is crucial for maximizing solar energy capture. The agricultural lands to the east, west, and south of Bloomington present particularly promising opportunities for solar development. Specific locations that might be well-suited for solar PV installations include: 1. The open farmlands between Bloomington and the nearby towns of LeRoy to the east and Heyworth to the south. These areas offer expansive, unobstructed spaces ideal for large solar arrays. 2. The rural regions northwest of Bloomington, towards the town of Carlock, where there are extensive agricultural lands with good solar exposure. 3. The areas southwest of Bloomington, in the direction of McLean, which also feature wide-open spaces suitable for solar development. It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale 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!

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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.