Solar PV Analysis of Bradley, United States
The location at Bradley, Illinois, in the United States is moderately suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt of installed solar varies with the seasons.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 6.27 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar. This makes summer an ideal time for solar energy generation at this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
In autumn, the output drops to around 3.39 kilowatt-hours per day per installed kilowatt because of shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity as compared to summer.
Winter sees a further drop in production down to about 2.05 kilowatt-hours per day per installed kilowatt due to even shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles.
Spring sees an increase again up to around 5.30-kilowatts hour per day per installed kW thanks largely due to longer daylight hours and higher sun angles as compared winter season.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system in Bradley, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing South which will allow them capture more sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there are some factors that could potentially hinder optimal power generation from your solar PV system in this area:
1) Weather conditions: Cloudy or overcast days reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their output.
2) Snowfall: In winter months heavy snowfall may cover your panels blocking sunlight completely.
3) Dust and debris: Over time dust particles accumulate on panel surface reducing its efficiency unless cleaned regularly.
Preventative measures include regular cleaning especially after snowfall or dusty winds; installing automated panel cleaners; using micro-inverters instead traditional inverters since they help ensure that performance reduction in one panel doesn't affect the entire array; and installing snow guards to prevent snow accumulation on panels.
It's also worth noting that while these factors can reduce solar PV efficiency, they do not completely stop power generation and with proper management, a solar PV system in Bradley, Illinois can still be a viable source of renewable energy.
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 Bradley
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.1406, Longitude: -87.8634 (Bradley, 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 Bradley, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bradley, United States (Lat/Long 41.1406, -87.8634) 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 Bradley, 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 Bradley, 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 Bradley, 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 Bradley, 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 Bradley, United States
Bradley, United States is located in the state of Illinois. The topography around this area is generally flat and characterized by plains, as it's part of the Midwestern region known as the Great Plains. There are also some low-lying hills and forests nearby.
Considering solar PV installations, one would look for open spaces with plenty of sunlight exposure throughout the year. Given Bradley's geographical location and topography, large-scale solar PV projects could be ideally suited for:
1. Farmland: The flat farmlands surrounding Bradley can provide ample space for setting up large-scale solar farms without any obstruction to sunlight.
2. Industrial Areas: Unused or less-used industrial lands can also be converted into solar parks.
3. Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or warehouses in Bradley may have expansive rooftops that could host rooftop solar panels.
4. Brownfield Sites: Any contaminated sites or landfills in or around Bradley that cannot be used for other purposes might be suitable for a ground-mounted photovoltaic system installation.
5. Community Solar Projects: Shared community-based solar projects could also work well within residential areas if there's enough interest and investment from local homeowners.
It should be noted that while these locations might seem ideal based on physical characteristics alone, actual suitability would depend on a variety of factors including local climate conditions (annual sunshine hours), land use regulations, proximity to power grids/infrastructure etc., which need detailed examination before planning any largescale project.
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: Monday 17th of June 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.
