Granite City, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 38.7014 and longitude -90.1487 provides varying levels of solar energy production across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Granite City fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.50 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.29 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 3.95 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.34 kWh/day.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Granite City, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Best Times for Solar Generation

The most favorable period for solar energy production in Granite City spans from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. The summer solstice in June marks the peak of solar potential, with gradually decreasing output as the year progresses towards winter.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Granite City's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could impact efficiency:

• Snow accumulation in winter months can temporarily reduce panel output
• Occasional severe weather events, such as thunderstorms or hail, may pose risks to solar installations

To mitigate these issues, solar installations in Granite City should incorporate durable, weather-resistant panels and mounting systems. Additionally, regular maintenance, including snow removal in winter, can help ensure optimal performance year-round. Despite these challenges, the overall solar potential in Granite City remains favorable, particularly during the warmer months of the year.

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 Granite City

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7014, Longitude: -90.1487 (Granite City, 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 34° South in Granite City, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Granite City, United States (Lat/Long 38.7014, -90.1487) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Granite City, 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 Granite City, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° 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	43° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	32° 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 Granite City, 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 Granite City, 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 Granite City, United States

The topography around Granite City, Illinois, located at approximately 38.7014°N latitude and 90.1487°W longitude, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the American Midwest. Situated in the Mississippi River floodplain, the area is part of what is known as the American Bottom, a broad, low-lying region east of the Mississippi River. The landscape surrounding Granite City is predominantly level, with only slight variations in elevation. This flatness is a result of ancient glacial activity and the depositing of sediment by the Mississippi River over thousands of years. The city itself sits at an average elevation of about 420 feet (128 meters) above sea level, with minimal changes in altitude across the immediate vicinity. To the east of Granite City, the terrain gradually rises into gently rolling hills as it transitions into the Illinois prairie. These subtle elevation changes are barely noticeable to the casual observer but become more pronounced as one moves further east into Madison County.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

The topographical features of the Granite City area make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The flat, open terrain provides several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the lack of significant elevation changes means that there are few natural obstacles to block sunlight, allowing for consistent solar exposure throughout the day. This flat landscape also simplifies the construction and maintenance of solar arrays, as it requires less earthwork and engineering to create level surfaces for panel installation. Areas to the east and northeast of Granite City, where the land begins to rise slightly, could be particularly well-suited for solar PV projects. These gentle slopes, if oriented correctly, can provide optimal angles for solar panels to capture sunlight, potentially increasing their efficiency. Furthermore, the region's agricultural heritage means that there are large tracts of open land that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. Former farmlands or unused industrial sites in the vicinity of Granite City could offer ideal locations for solar farms, combining available space with proximity to existing power infrastructure. However, it's important to note that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as local zoning laws, environmental considerations, and grid connection capabilities would also need to be assessed when determining the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV development near Granite City.

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.