Solar PV Analysis of East Peoria, United States
East Peoria, Illinois, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, reflecting the characteristic climate patterns of the Midwest United States.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in East Peoria, with an impressive average of 6.36 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This high yield is attributed to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight during the summer months.
Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating an average of 5.32 kWh per day. The increasing daylight and generally clearer skies contribute to this robust performance.
Autumn sees a noticeable decline in solar output, with an average of 3.66 kWh per day. This reduction is due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky.
Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy production in East Peoria, with output dropping to an average of 2.30 kWh per day. The combination of shorter days, lower sun angles, and increased cloud cover contributes to this significant decrease in solar yield.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in East Peoria, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors in East Peoria can impact solar energy production:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- Cloudy days, particularly common in late fall and winter, can decrease solar output.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal when necessary, can help ensure optimal performance year-round.
Despite these challenges, East Peoria's location still offers substantial potential for solar energy generation, particularly from late spring through early fall. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to the area's energy needs.
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 East Peoria
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.6839, Longitude: -89.5611 (East Peoria, 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 East Peoria, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in East Peoria, United States (Lat/Long 40.6839, -89.5611) 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 East Peoria, 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 East Peoria, 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 | 44° South in Autumn | 55° 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 East Peoria, 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 East Peoria, 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 East Peoria, United States
The topography around East Peoria, Illinois, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and flat areas along the Illinois River valley. East Peoria itself is situated on the east bank of the Illinois River, opposite the city of Peoria. The surrounding landscape is part of the broader Central Plains region, which was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age.
The area features a combination of urban development, agricultural land, and forested patches. As you move away from the river, the terrain becomes more varied, with some modest hills and shallow valleys. These elevations are generally not extreme, with most of the area having a gradual rise from the river level.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter, open spaces outside the immediate urban core of East Peoria and Peoria. The rural areas to the east and southeast of East Peoria, where there are expansive agricultural fields, could be particularly well-suited. These locations offer several advantages:
- Large, unobstructed areas that receive consistent sunlight throughout the day
- Relatively flat terrain, which simplifies construction and reduces costs
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure, as the region is already developed
- Lower land costs compared to more urbanized areas
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to balance energy production potential with other factors such as land use regulations, environmental considerations, and the interests of local communities. Some agricultural land may be protected or prioritized for food production, so careful site selection and community engagement would be necessary.
Additionally, while the hills in the area might seem appealing for solar installations due to their elevated position, the most efficient and cost-effective sites are typically those with minimal slope. Therefore, the gently sloping or flat areas just outside the river valley would likely be the most practical choices for large-scale solar PV development in the vicinity of East Peoria.
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 28th 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.
