Solar PV Analysis of De Pere, United States
De Pere, Wisconsin, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a varied solar energy potential throughout the year. The city experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar electricity generation, which impacts the overall effectiveness of solar PV systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in De Pere, with an impressive daily output of 6.48kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.18kWh/day. However, the colder months see a substantial drop in solar production, with autumn yielding 3.20kWh/day and winter only managing 2.12kWh/day.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in De Pere, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
De Pere faces some environmental challenges that can affect solar energy production. The most significant factor is the harsh winter weather, which often brings heavy snowfall and extended periods of cloud cover. These conditions can substantially reduce solar panel efficiency and output.
To mitigate these issues, several preventative measures can be taken:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use snow-shedding coatings on panels to prevent accumulation
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially after snowstorms
- Consider using bifacial panels to capture reflected light from snow
Additionally, investing in high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production during the limited daylight hours of winter months. While these measures can improve performance, it's important to note that De Pere's location will always present some challenges for year-round solar energy production due to its northern latitude and seasonal weather patterns.
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 3041 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 De Pere
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.4371, Longitude: -88.0795 (De Pere, 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 38° South in De Pere, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in De Pere, United States (Lat/Long 44.4371, -88.0795) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 De Pere, 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 De Pere, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 37° 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 De Pere, 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 De Pere, 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 De Pere, United States
De Pere, Wisconsin, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling terrain. The landscape around De Pere is primarily shaped by glacial activity from the last ice age, resulting in a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and relatively flat areas. The Fox River, which flows through De Pere, has carved a shallow valley in the surrounding terrain, creating some subtle elevation changes near its banks.
The topography in this area is generally favorable for human settlement and agriculture, with elevations ranging from about 580 to 800 feet above sea level. The land gradually rises as you move away from the Fox River, with some areas featuring slightly more pronounced hills and ridges. However, there are no dramatic elevation changes or steep slopes in the immediate vicinity of De Pere.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations for solar farms typically include:
- Open, flat or gently sloping land with minimal shading from trees or structures
- Areas with good sun exposure, preferably facing south
- Locations away from residential areas to minimize visual impact
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection
Given these criteria, the rural areas to the south and east of De Pere would likely be most suitable for large-scale solar PV projects. These regions feature more open agricultural land with fewer obstructions and generally flat to gently rolling terrain. The farmland in Brown County and neighboring Kewaunee County could potentially offer ideal sites for solar installations.
However, it's important to note that specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid capacity would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar PV projects in the area surrounding De Pere.
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: Friday 13th of September 2024
Last Updated: Friday 13th of September 2024
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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.
