Solar PV Analysis of DeMotte, United States
DeMotte, Indiana is a moderately good location for generating solar energy year-round. The most productive time for solar energy production is in the summer, with an expected output of 6.27 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This drops to 3.39 kWh/day in the fall and further drops to just over 2 kWh/day during winter months when sunlight hours are fewer and the sun's rays are less intense. However, production picks up again in springtime with about 5.30 kWh/day.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should be fixed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing southward. This positioning maximizes exposure to sunlight and thus increases overall yearly electricity generation.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production in DeMotte, Indiana - it's important to note that like many places in the Midwest region, it can experience heavy snowfall during winter months which could cover panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping production entirely until cleared off.
Furthermore, DeMotte also experiences occasional hailstorms which could potentially damage unprotected panels; therefore installing protective measures such as durable panel covers or shields would be beneficial.
Another consideration is dust accumulation on panels; regular cleaning especially during drier months will ensure maximum light absorption by keeping them free from dirt and dust particles.
In conclusion: while there may be some seasonal fluctuations and minor weather-related challenges associated with harnessing solar power in DeMotte – these can generally be managed effectively through appropriate installation techniques and routine maintenance thereby ensuring a reasonable level of year-round energy generation from your installed PV system.
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 DeMotte
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.1673, Longitude: -87.2523 (DeMotte, 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 DeMotte, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in DeMotte, United States (Lat/Long 41.1673, -87.2523) 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 DeMotte, 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 DeMotte, 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 DeMotte, 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 DeMotte, 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 DeMotte, United States
DeMotte is located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The topography around DeMotte is generally flat to gently rolling, as it's situated in the Midwest region known for its plains. This area is part of the larger Corn Belt and is primarily used for agricultural purposes.
Being relatively flat makes this area potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, given that such setups require ample space without significant shading or terrain irregularities.
However, a few factors need to be considered:
1) Land Use: As mentioned above, much of the land around DeMotte is used for agriculture. Converting these lands into solar farms could conflict with food production and local farming communities' interests.
2) Solar Irradiance: While Indiana does receive a fair amount of sunlight (around 4-4.5 hours per day on average), it's not as high as some other states like Arizona or California which receive more than 6 hours per day on average.
3) Local Policies & Regulations: The viability of large-scale solar projects also depends heavily on local policies, incentives, and regulations regarding renewable energy development.
To identify specific areas most suited to large-scale solar PV near DeMotte would require detailed analysis considering all these variables including land availability, sunlight exposure data (solar irradiance), proximity to power transmission lines or substations (for grid connection), environmental impact assessments etc.
It's worth noting that there are already several small scale solar projects in Jasper County where DeMotte resides indicating potential suitability for further expansion into this sector.
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: Sunday 23rd 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.
