Solar PV Analysis of Janesville, United States
Janesville, Wisconsin, in the United States is a decent location for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. However, it's not an ideal spot when compared to places that receive more sunlight throughout the year.
In summer and spring, Janesville gets quite a bit of sun with 6.34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day and 5.27 kWh/day respectively for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This means you can expect good energy production during these seasons.
However, in autumn and winter, the amount of sunlight drops significantly to 3.43 kWh/day and 2.36 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar power which would result in less energy production.
The best times to generate solar power at this location would be during late spring through early fall when there are more hours of daylight and the sun is higher in the sky.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 37 degrees facing south will maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system as it allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout all seasons.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production at this location - Wisconsin does have its share of cloudy days especially during winter months which could decrease efficiency; snow can also cover panels reducing their effectiveness but they tend to shed snow pretty well because they're tilted. There's also potential for damage due to high winds or hail storms so sturdy installation methods should be used along with regular maintenance checks post-installation.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Install panels using strong materials able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
2) Regularly clean off any dirt or debris on your panels that may block sunlight.
3) If possible install tracking systems that adjust panel positions according to sun’s position maximizing exposure.
4) Consider incorporating battery storage systems to store excess power during the sunnier months for use during less sunny periods.
In conclusion, while Janesville, Wisconsin may not be the most ideal location for solar energy production due to certain weather conditions and seasonal variations in sunlight, it is still a viable option with proper system design and maintenance.
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 Janesville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.7179, Longitude: -89.0518 (Janesville, 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 37° South in Janesville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Janesville, United States (Lat/Long 42.7179, -89.0518) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Janesville, 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 Janesville, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° 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 Janesville, 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 Janesville, 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 Janesville, United States
Janesville, United States is located in the state of Wisconsin. The topography of this area is characterized by gently rolling hills and flat plains, due to its location in the Midwest's Great Plains region.
The city itself has a mix of urban and suburban areas with some industrial zones. It lies near the Rock River which could potentially impact solar PV installations due to potential flooding or moisture concerns. However, there are also large agricultural areas surrounding Janesville which could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations given their open space and good sun exposure.
In terms of specific nearby areas that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV:
1. Agricultural Lands: As mentioned earlier, there are extensive farmlands around Janesville which can provide ample space for installing solar panels without much obstruction from buildings or trees.
2. Industrial Zones: Unused or underutilized spaces in industrial zones can also be considered for setting up large scale solar power plants as they usually have good infrastructure support like roads and transmission lines.
3. Landfill Sites: If there are any closed landfill sites around Janesville, these could potentially be converted into solar farms.
4. Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or warehouses with big rooftops within the city can also host rooftop solar systems.
It should however be noted that suitability will depend not only on geographical features but other factors such as local climate (solar irradiance), land use regulations, proximity to electrical grids etc., hence a detailed feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on specific locations.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 31st of May 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.
