Solar PV Analysis of Bourbonnais, United States
Bourbonnais, Illinois, in the United States is located in a region where solar energy production can be quite effective, but it's not the most ideal location. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the year due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration.
In simple terms, during summer you can expect your solar panels to produce around 6.27 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panel installed. This means if you have a 1kW solar panel system, on average it will generate about 6.27 kWh every day in summer.
Autumn and winter see a drop in production due to shorter days and less intense sunlight; with autumn producing approximately 3.39 kWh/day per kW of installed solar and winter producing just about 2.05 kWh/day per kW.
Spring sees an increase again with approximately 5.30 kWh/day produced for each kW of installed solar.
To get the most out of your panels year-round at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing southward.
As for environmental or other local factors that could affect your energy production: Bourbonnais is located within Tornado Alley which means there's potential for severe weather including high winds and hail which could damage panels or cause debris to block sunlight reaching them; however these events are relatively rare but should still be considered when installing a system here.
To protect against such events as much as possible, durable mounting systems can be used to secure the panels against high winds; additionally protective films or covers could potentially help shield against hail damage although this isn't commonly done due to cost vs risk considerations - regular maintenance checks after severe weather events would also help ensure any issues are quickly identified and rectified so potential energy generation isn't lost over time from undetected damage reducing panel efficiency.
Also, the area is relatively flat which is generally good for solar as it means there's less likely to be shading issues from hills or other topographical features - but it's still important to consider any potential shading from buildings, trees or other structures when choosing a location for your panels.
In conclusion, while Bourbonnais isn't the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its seasonal variations and potential weather issues, with the right setup and considerations it can still be a viable option.
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 Bourbonnais
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.1683, Longitude: -87.8779 (Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bourbonnais, United States (Lat/Long 41.1683, -87.8779) 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 Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, United States
Bourbonnais is located in the state of Illinois, United States. The area has a relatively flat topography, typical of the Midwestern region. It is part of Kankakee County which is largely characterized by plains and small hills with an average elevation of around 200 meters above sea level.
Regarding solar PV (photovoltaic) potential, flat areas are generally suitable for large-scale solar installations as they require less land grading and can accommodate more panels per acre. Therefore, the plains around Bourbonnais could be suitable for this purpose.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar energy doesn't only depend on topography but also other factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), availability and cost of land, proximity to transmission lines or substations for grid connection, local regulations about renewable energy projects, etc.
Illinois does have policies encouraging renewable energy development including solar power. According to data from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Illinois has good potential for solar power especially in its southern parts but northern areas like Bourbonnais can also harness solar energy effectively.
For specific sites near Bourbonnais that could be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations would require a detailed site-specific analysis considering all these factors.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 6th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
