Solar PV Analysis of Champaign, United States
Champaign, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 40.1016 and longitude -88.2822 provides varying levels of solar irradiance across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy production in Champaign fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer presents the most favorable conditions, with an average daily output of 6.32 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 5.36 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable decrease in production, averaging 3.56 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.34 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal period for solar energy production in Champaign spans from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, it's important to note that solar panels continue to generate electricity year-round, albeit at lower rates during the winter months.
Panel Tilt Angle
For fixed panel installations in Champaign, 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 seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Champaign's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel output
- Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, may pose risks to solar installations
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal solar production, consider implementing the following measures:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow shedding
- Use durable mounting systems designed to withstand high winds
- Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to remove debris and snow
- Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
By addressing these factors, solar installations in Champaign can maximize their energy production potential throughout the year, despite seasonal variations and occasional weather-related challenges.
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 Champaign
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.1016, Longitude: -88.2822 (Champaign, 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 Champaign, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Champaign, United States (Lat/Long 40.1016, -88.2822) 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 Champaign, 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 Champaign, 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 | 54° 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 Champaign, 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 Champaign, 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 Champaign, United States
The topography around Champaign, Illinois, is characterized by its remarkably flat terrain. This area is part of the vast Central Plains region of the United States, which is known for its gently rolling prairies and expansive agricultural lands. The landscape surrounding Champaign is predominantly level, with very little variation in elevation across a wide area.
This flat topography is the result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which smoothed out the land and deposited rich, fertile soil across the region. As a result, the area around Champaign is primarily used for agriculture, with vast fields of corn and soybeans stretching as far as the eye can see. The few changes in elevation that do occur are typically quite subtle, with only slight undulations in the terrain.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat terrain of the region actually provides numerous advantages. The lack of significant hills or mountains means that there are few natural obstacles to block sunlight, allowing for maximum solar exposure throughout the day. Additionally, the open agricultural lands surrounding Champaign offer large, uninterrupted spaces that could potentially be repurposed for solar farms.
Ideal locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Champaign would likely be found in the rural areas surrounding the city. These areas often feature expansive plots of land with minimal shading from trees or buildings. The flat terrain also simplifies the construction and maintenance of solar arrays, as it reduces the need for extensive land grading or complex mounting systems.
However, it's important to note that while the topography is favorable for solar PV, other factors such as local zoning laws, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and the agricultural value of the land would also need to be considered when identifying specific sites for solar development. The most suitable areas would likely be those that balance these factors while taking advantage of the region's flat, open landscape.
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: Wednesday 24th of July 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.
