Solar PV Analysis of Elmwood Park, United States
Elmwood Park, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and reduced output in winter.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.27 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.30 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decline to 3.39 kWh/day, while 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. Long summer days and higher sun angles contribute to peak performance from late spring through early fall.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Elmwood Park, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 36-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle accounts for the location's latitude and seasonal sun path variations, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Elmwood Park's climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some factors that could impact production:
- Snowfall: Winter accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences partly cloudy conditions, which may affect production.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal, can help maintain optimal performance year-round.
Despite seasonal variations, Elmwood Park's location provides a solid foundation for solar energy generation, particularly from spring through fall. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a viable and sustainable energy option for this Illinois community.
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 Elmwood Park
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.9237, Longitude: -87.814 (Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Elmwood Park, United States (Lat/Long 41.9237, -87.814) 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 Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, United States
The topography around Elmwood Park, Illinois, which is located just northwest of Chicago, is generally flat to gently rolling. This area is part of the broader Chicago metropolitan region, situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan. The landscape is characterized by low-lying plains that were shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago.
The terrain in and around Elmwood Park is predominantly urban and suburban, with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and some parks or green spaces. The elevation changes are minimal, with only slight variations in height across the area. This relatively flat landscape is typical of the greater Chicago region, which sits on what was once the bed of glacial Lake Chicago.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the options are somewhat limited due to the urban nature of the region. However, there are a few potential locations that could be considered:
- Former industrial sites: Abandoned or underutilized industrial areas on the outskirts of Chicago might offer large, flat spaces suitable for solar arrays.
- Agricultural land: Moving further west or southwest from Elmwood Park, there are more rural areas with open farmland that could potentially accommodate solar installations.
- Brownfield sites: Remediated former landfills or contaminated sites in the broader Chicago area could be repurposed for solar energy production.
- Large rooftops: While not strictly topographical, the flat roofs of big box stores, warehouses, and industrial buildings in the surrounding suburbs could be utilized for solar panel installation.
It's important to note that while the flat terrain is generally favorable for solar PV installations, the climate of the Chicago area, with its cold winters and frequent cloud cover, may impact the overall efficiency of solar energy production. Additionally, any large-scale solar project would need to comply with local zoning laws and regulations, which can be quite strict in densely populated urban and suburban areas.
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: Thursday 25th 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.
