La Grange, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a mixed bag when it comes to solar energy potential. This suburban village west of Chicago experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impacts the overall effectiveness of solar PV systems throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy generation in La Grange, with an impressive daily output of 6.27 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 5.30 kWh/day. However, the colder months see a substantial drop in production, with autumn yielding 3.39 kWh/day and winter plummeting to a mere 2.05 kWh/day.

This stark contrast between seasons means that La Grange residents can expect excellent solar performance from late spring through early fall, but significantly reduced output during the winter months. The extended daylight hours and higher sun angle during summer contribute to the peak production period.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in La Grange, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps balance the seasonal variations in sun position and maximizes the overall annual energy yield.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in La Grange:

1. Snowfall: Winter accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
2. Cloud cover: The area experiences frequent cloudy days, especially in winter.
3. Tree shading: Mature trees in this suburban setting may cast shadows on panels.

To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels with a steeper tilt to encourage snow sliding off, use high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions, and carefully assess and manage nearby trees to minimize shading. Additionally, regular panel cleaning and maintenance can help ensure optimal performance year-round.

While La Grange may not be ideal for solar energy production during winter months, the strong performance during the rest of the year makes it a viable option for homeowners looking to reduce their reliance on grid electricity and lower their carbon footprint.

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 Grange

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.805, Longitude: -87.8692 (La Grange, 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 La Grange, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in La Grange, United States (Lat/Long 41.805, -87.8692) 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 La Grange, 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 Grange, 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	45° 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 La Grange, 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 Grange, 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 La Grange, United States

The topography around La Grange, Illinois, located at 41.805°N and 87.8692°W, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Midwest United States. This area is part of the Chicago metropolitan region and sits on the western edge of Cook County. The landscape is primarily composed of gently rolling plains with subtle elevation changes, a result of glacial activity during the last ice age. La Grange itself is situated on a slight rise compared to its immediate surroundings, with an average elevation of about 650 feet (198 meters) above sea level. The area is dotted with small streams and creeks, including Salt Creek to the west and the Des Plaines River to the east. These waterways have carved shallow valleys into the otherwise level landscape over time. The region's topography is influenced by its location on the Chicago Lake Plain, a flat expanse of land that was once covered by glacial Lake Chicago, an ancestor of present-day Lake Michigan. As a result, the soil is rich and fertile, supporting a mix of suburban development and agricultural land use in the surrounding areas.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar development, as it minimizes the need for extensive land grading and allows for efficient panel placement. Areas to the west and southwest of La Grange, where there is more open, rural land, might be particularly well-suited for solar farms. These locations typically have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels, such as tall buildings or dense forests. Additionally, agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow could be repurposed for solar energy production. It's important to note that while the topography is suitable, other factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV projects in the area. Consultation with local authorities and environmental impact assessments would be necessary steps in identifying specific sites for solar development near La Grange.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.