Campbell Hill, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, demonstrates moderate solar energy potential with significant seasonal variation that makes it a reasonably viable but not ideal location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows typical temperate zone patterns with strong summer performance producing 6.65 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring also delivers good results at 5.49 kWh per day per kW, making these the prime solar generation seasons. Autumn drops to 4.13 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.42 kWh per day per kW. This represents a nearly three-fold difference between peak summer and winter production, which is significant for energy planning purposes.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Campbell Hill, 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 position.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several local factors could potentially impede solar production at this Illinois location:

• Midwest weather patterns including frequent cloud cover, particularly during winter months
• Snow accumulation on panels during winter, which can block sunlight entirely
• High humidity levels that can reduce solar efficiency
• Severe thunderstorms and hail that could damage equipment
• Dust and agricultural particles that can accumulate on panel surfaces

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies can help:

• Install panels at the optimal 33-degree tilt to encourage natural snow shedding
• Use mounting systems that allow for easy cleaning and maintenance access
• Consider anti-reflective coatings and self-cleaning panel surfaces
• Install hail-resistant tempered glass panels rated for severe weather
• Ensure proper drainage around installations to prevent water pooling
• Plan for regular cleaning schedules, especially during dusty agricultural seasons

While Campbell Hill isn't among the most ideal solar locations due to its continental climate and seasonal variations, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help optimize the available solar resource throughout the year.

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 Campbell Hill

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.9301, Longitude: -89.549 (Campbell Hill, 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 Campbell Hill, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Campbell Hill, United States (Lat/Long 37.9301, -89.549) 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 Campbell Hill, 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 Campbell Hill, 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 Campbell Hill, 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 Campbell Hill, 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 Campbell Hill, United States

Topographical Features of Campbell Hill Region

Campbell Hill sits in the southern Illinois landscape, positioned within a region characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Interior Plains. The area represents part of the broader Mississippi River valley system, where elevation changes are generally moderate and the landscape transitions gradually between higher and lower ground. The topography here reflects the geological influence of ancient glacial activity and river systems that have shaped the land over millennia. The immediate vicinity around Campbell Hill features a mix of agricultural flatlands interspersed with low ridges and shallow valleys. These undulating hills rarely present steep slopes, instead offering gentle gradients that make the terrain accessible and developable. The region's elevation varies modestly, creating a landscape that appears relatively flat from a distance but reveals subtle contours upon closer examination.

Drainage Patterns and Land Use

Water drainage in this area follows natural depressions and constructed agricultural ditches, with streams meandering through the lower elevations toward eventual confluence with larger river systems. The soil composition reflects both the agricultural heritage and the underlying geological foundation, consisting primarily of fertile sediments deposited by historical flooding and glacial processes. Current land use predominantly centers on agriculture, with extensive crop fields occupying the flatter portions of the terrain. Farmsteads and rural residences dot the landscape, typically positioned on slightly elevated ground to avoid potential flooding issues. Forested areas tend to concentrate along waterways and steeper slopes where agricultural use proves less practical.

Solar Development Suitability

Large-scale solar photovoltaic installations would find optimal conditions on the extensive flat to gently sloping agricultural areas that dominate the regional landscape. The most suitable locations for utility-scale solar development would be the broad, open fields currently used for row crop production, particularly those with southern-facing slopes that maximize solar exposure throughout the day. Areas immediately south and southwest of Campbell Hill present particularly favorable conditions for solar development, offering expansive tracts of relatively level ground with minimal topographical obstacles. These locations benefit from unobstructed sky access and gentle terrain that facilitates construction and maintenance activities while minimizing earthwork requirements. The slightly elevated plateaus and ridge tops scattered throughout the region also present excellent opportunities for solar installations. These higher elevations often provide superior drainage characteristics and reduced risk of flooding, while maintaining the gentle slopes necessary for efficient solar panel positioning. Such locations typically offer enhanced wind circulation that can help maintain optimal operating temperatures for photovoltaic equipment. Agricultural areas with east-west oriented field patterns would be particularly well-suited for solar development, as they naturally align with optimal solar panel positioning. The existing field boundaries and access roads in these farming areas provide infrastructure advantages that can reduce development costs and environmental impact during construction phases.

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.