Solar PV Analysis of Cicero, United States
Cicero, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's latitude and longitude (41.8199, -87.7424) contribute to varying solar output across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Cicero fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer sees the highest output at 6.27 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows with 5.30 kWh/day, while autumn produces 3.39 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 2.05 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this location. Summer months, with longer daylight hours and higher sun angles, are ideal for maximizing solar output.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Cicero, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 36 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors can affect solar production in Cicero:
- Snowfall: Winter accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloudy days, particularly in winter.
- Urban pollution: Being close to Chicago, air pollution may slightly reduce solar irradiance.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off, use high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions, and implement a regular cleaning schedule to combat pollution buildup.
Conclusion
While Cicero's location is not ideal for year-round solar production due to significant seasonal variations, it still offers good potential, especially during spring and summer. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide substantial energy generation, particularly from late spring through early fall.
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 Cicero
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.8199, Longitude: -87.7424 (Cicero, 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 36° South in Cicero, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cicero, United States (Lat/Long 41.8199, -87.7424) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Cicero, 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 Cicero, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Cicero, 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 Cicero, 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 Cicero, United States
The area around Cicero, Illinois, in the United States is characterized by a relatively flat topography. This region is part of the vast Chicago metropolitan area, which sits on what was once the bed of glacial Lake Chicago. As a result, the landscape is predominantly level, with only subtle variations in elevation.
The terrain in and around Cicero is typical of the Midwest's prairie lands, featuring gently rolling plains with very few significant hills or valleys. The elevation changes are minimal, generally ranging from about 590 to 620 feet above sea level across the broader area. This flat landscape is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which smoothed out the terrain and deposited rich soils.
The nearby Des Plaines River valley provides some of the only noticeable topographic variation in the vicinity, but even this feature is relatively subtle in terms of elevation change. The urban development of the Chicago area has further flattened any minor natural variations in the landscape.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat topography of the region generally favors such projects. However, the dense urban and suburban development in and immediately around Cicero limits the availability of large, open spaces needed for utility-scale solar farms. To find more suitable areas for large-scale solar PV, one would likely need to look further out from Cicero, towards the less developed regions to the south and southwest of the Chicago metropolitan area.
These areas, particularly in counties like Will, Kankakee, or Grundy, offer more open, rural landscapes with ample flat terrain that could potentially accommodate large solar installations. The consistent elevation and lack of significant geographical features in these areas would minimize shading issues and simplify the construction and maintenance of solar arrays.
It's important to note that while the topography in these areas is favorable, other factors such as local zoning laws, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV projects.
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: Tuesday 15th of October 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.
