Solar PV Analysis of Des Plaines, United States
Des Plaines, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a varied landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical position at 42.0487° N latitude and 87.8905° W longitude, this location experiences distinct seasonal fluctuations in solar potential.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in Des Plaines, with an impressive average of 6.24 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.20 kWh/day/kW. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar output.
Autumn sees a significant drop in production, averaging 3.17 kWh/day/kW. Winter experiences the lowest solar potential, with just 1.80 kWh/day/kW, due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Des Plaines, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 36-degree angle facing south. This orientation helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Des Plaines:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Cloudy weather, particularly common in autumn and winter, can diminish solar output
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and ensuring regular maintenance can help maximize production even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Conclusion
While Des Plaines experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential, it remains a viable location for solar PV installations. The strong performance in spring and summer can offset the reduced output during autumn and winter. With proper planning and installation techniques, solar energy can be a valuable renewable resource for this Illinois community year-round.
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 Des Plaines
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.0487, Longitude: -87.8905 (Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Des Plaines, United States (Lat/Long 42.0487, -87.8905) 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, United States
The topography around Des Plaines, Illinois, in the United States is generally characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain. This area is part of the larger Chicago metropolitan region and sits on what was once the bottom of glacial Lake Chicago, which existed thousands of years ago. As a result, the landscape is predominantly flat with only minor variations in elevation.
Des Plaines itself is situated in the Des Plaines River Valley, which is a relatively low-lying area compared to its surroundings. The Des Plaines River flows through the city, creating some subtle changes in the local topography. To the west of Des Plaines, there are slight increases in elevation as you move towards the Fox River Valley.
The overall flatness of the region is interrupted by some gentle hills and ridges, which are remnants of glacial activity. These features are more prominent to the north and northwest of Des Plaines, in areas like the Des Plaines River Trail and the Busse Woods Forest Preserve.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the relatively flat terrain of the region offers several potential options. However, it's important to note that the Chicago metropolitan area is densely populated, which limits available open space for such projects.
Some areas that might be considered for solar PV installations include:
- Former industrial sites or brownfields in the surrounding suburbs, which often provide large, open spaces with minimal shading.
- Agricultural land to the west and northwest of Des Plaines, where there are larger tracts of open space. However, this would need to be balanced with agricultural preservation efforts.
- Portions of forest preserves or other public lands that are already cleared or less ecologically sensitive, though this would require careful environmental assessment and public approval.
- Large commercial or industrial rooftops in Des Plaines and surrounding communities, which could support smaller-scale but still significant solar installations.
It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar PV, the Chicago area's climate, with its cloudy winters and moderate solar radiation, may present challenges for maximizing energy production. Any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider these factors, along with local zoning regulations and grid connection capabilities.
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: Monday 26th of August 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.
