Solar PV Analysis of La Fontaine, United States
In simple terms, the location at La Fontaine, Indiana in the United States is pretty decent for generating energy using solar panels all year round. However, it's not perfect and some seasons are better than others.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a good amount of electricity - 6.38 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.52 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panel installed. These are the best times of year to generate solar power because the sun shines longer and stronger.
On the other hand, autumn and winter aren't as ideal due to less sunlight hours and intensity - only about 3.60 kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 2.27 kWh/day during winter per kW of installed solar.
For best results throughout the year, it's recommended that fixed panel installations should be tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing south.
As for factors that could impact your ability to produce solar energy at this location: Indiana does experience some cloudy days which could reduce sunlight exposure on panels but it doesn't have extreme weather conditions like hurricanes or heavy snowfall that could damage them or block out sun completely.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges: Keep your panels clean so they can absorb as much sunlight as possible; consider installing a tracking system which will adjust your panels' position throughout the day to follow sun’s path; also having a battery storage system would allow storing excess power generated during sunny periods for use when sunshine is limited.
Remember though while there might be some hurdles along with way with proper planning you can definitely make use of this renewable source effectively!
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 La Fontaine
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.688, Longitude: -85.6942 (La Fontaine, 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 35° South in La Fontaine, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in La Fontaine, United States (Lat/Long 40.688, -85.6942) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 La Fontaine, 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 La Fontaine, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 33° 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 La Fontaine, 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 La Fontaine, 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 La Fontaine, United States
La Fontaine is located in the state of Indiana, United States. The topography around La Fontaine is relatively flat with slight undulations, as it falls within the Central Till Plains region of Indiana. This area consists mainly of farmland and small forests.
The flatness and openness of this region make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. There are few physical obstacles to block sunlight, such as mountains or tall buildings. Also, since much of the land is used for farming, there could be potential opportunities to integrate solar farms into existing agricultural operations which can reduce land use conflicts.
However, it's also important to take into account other factors like local weather patterns (Indiana does have a fair amount of cloudy days), availability and cost of land, proximity to power grids for energy transmission, local regulations related to renewable energy projects etc., before deciding on suitability for large-scale solar PV installations. It would be best if a detailed feasibility study is conducted by professionals in this field before making any decisions.
Also worth noting that areas near highways or major roads might also be suitable because they provide easy access for installation crews and maintenance personnel. In addition around La Fontaine there are some industrial areas that could have large roof surfaces ideal for rooftop solar PV systems.
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: Sunday 23rd 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.
