Solar PV Analysis of Evanston, United States
Evanston, Illinois is not the best place for year-round solar energy production, but it's not the worst either. The amount of electricity a solar panel can produce depends on how much sunlight it gets. In Evanston, during summer and spring the panels can generate quite a bit of electricity (6.24kWh/day in Summer and 5.20kWh/day in Spring), but during autumn and winter, when days are shorter and there's less sunlight, they won't be able to produce as much (3.17kWh/day in Autumn and 1.80kWh/day in Winter).
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during summer when there's lots of sun every day.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round in Evanston, you should install them at an angle that faces 36 degrees South. This will ensure they're always getting as much sunlight as possible.
However, there might be some things that could affect how well your panels work here:
1) Weather: Evanston has its fair share of cloudy or snowy days which reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
2) Environmental factors: Buildings or trees around where you want to install your panels could block their access to sunlight.
To deal with these challenges:
1) For weather-related issues like snow covering up your panels - make sure you clear them off regularly so they can still catch light.
2) If buildings or trees are blocking light from reaching your panel - try finding a different spot where there aren't any obstructions if possible.
So while Evanston isn't perfect for generating solar energy all year round due to its seasonal variations in sunshine levels and potential local obstacles such as buildings or trees obstructing direct sunlight onto installed PVs; by taking some precautions like positioning correctly towards south at an ideal tilt angle & keeping them clear from snowfall/blockages – one can still generate a decent amount of solar energy.
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 Evanston
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.055, Longitude: -87.6951 (Evanston, 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 Evanston, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Evanston, United States (Lat/Long 42.055, -87.6951) 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 Evanston, 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 Evanston, 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 Evanston, 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 Evanston, 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 Evanston, United States
Evanston is located in the northeastern part of Illinois, United States. The topography of Evanston is relatively flat as it's part of the Great Lakes region. It lies on the western coast of Lake Michigan and has a low-lying coastal plain characteristic.
The city itself is urbanized with residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. However, there are also parks and open spaces scattered throughout the city. The lake provides a clear eastward view which could be beneficial for solar PV installations to capture morning sun.
For large-scale solar PV installations near Evanston, areas with less dense development would be more suitable due to space requirements for such projects. These could include rural or semi-rural areas further west or northwest from Evanston where land might be available for use.
However, considering Illinois' climate that includes cloudy days and winter snowfall, while solar energy can still be viable here (especially during summer months), it may not provide as consistent output as in sunnier states like Arizona or California.
Also important to note: rooftop solar panels on existing structures within Evanston itself could also represent an opportunity for smaller scale but widespread deployment of photovoltaic power generation systems without needing large tracts of land.
To determine exact locations best suited for large-scale solar PV installation though would require more detailed analysis taking into account factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to electrical grid infrastructure etc., alongside sunlight availability data.
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: Wednesday 5th of June 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.
