Freeburg, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 38.4275, -89.9137, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak performance during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar energy output at this location varies significantly across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.59 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.42 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 4.01 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.44 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy generation in Freeburg. This variation is primarily due to changes in day length, sun angle, and weather patterns throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round solar energy production in Freeburg, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 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

While Freeburg's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

• Snow accumulation in winter months may temporarily reduce panel output
• Occasional severe storms, including tornadoes, could pose a risk to solar installations

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a slightly steeper angle to promote snow shedding, and ensure robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Regular maintenance and cleaning, especially after snowfall or storms, can help maintain optimal performance.

Despite these challenges, Freeburg's location remains viable for solar energy production, with ample sunny days throughout the year to generate significant clean 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 Freeburg

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.4275, Longitude: -89.9137 (Freeburg, 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 33° South in Freeburg, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Freeburg, United States (Lat/Long 38.4275, -89.9137) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Freeburg, 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 Freeburg, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° South in Summer	42° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	31° 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 Freeburg, 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 Freeburg, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Freeburg, United States

The area around Freeburg, Illinois, located at coordinates 38.4275°N, 89.9137°W, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the American Midwest. This region, situated in southwestern Illinois, is part of the larger Illinois Basin, which features a mix of flat prairies and low, undulating hills. The topography surrounding Freeburg is primarily composed of fertile plains with subtle elevation changes. The landscape has been shaped over millennia by glacial activity and subsequent erosion, resulting in a mostly level to slightly sloping terrain. Small streams and creeks meander through the area, creating shallow valleys and occasional bluffs. To the east of Freeburg, the land gradually rises towards the Illinois Ozarks, a series of low hills and ridges that provide some topographic relief to the otherwise predominantly flat landscape. To the west, the terrain becomes increasingly level as it approaches the Mississippi River floodplain.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain surrounding Freeburg offers numerous potential sites for solar farms. The most suitable areas would likely be found on the gently sloping plains to the north and east of the town. These locations offer several advantages for solar PV development: 1. The flat to slightly sloping terrain reduces the need for extensive land grading, lowering construction costs and minimizing environmental impact. 2. The open nature of the landscape means there are fewer natural obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing sun exposure throughout the day. 3. The agricultural heritage of the region means there are large, contiguous parcels of land that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. 4. The proximity to existing power infrastructure in and around Freeburg could facilitate easier grid connection for new solar installations. It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar PV development, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid capacity would also need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects in the area.

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!

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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.