Lemont, Illinois, located at 41.6736, -88.0017 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal differences in solar production, with summer months providing the highest energy output.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Lemont generate their maximum electricity during summer, producing approximately 6.25kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 5.29kWh daily per kilowatt. Production decreases considerably during autumn to 3.39kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 2.35kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

This seasonal pattern means that Lemont residents with solar installations will see their systems performing at peak efficiency from late spring through early fall, with June, July, and August being particularly productive months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Lemont, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 36 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize the total annual solar energy capture, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal sun path variations at this specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors in Lemont may impact solar production efficiency:

• Winter snowfall can temporarily cover panels, reducing output during already low-production months
• Cloudy conditions associated with the Great Lakes region weather patterns
• Potential shading from deciduous trees that are common in the area
• Occasional hail storms that could potentially damage panels

To mitigate these factors, solar installations in Lemont should include these preventative measures:

• Install panels at the recommended 36-degree tilt to help shed snow
• Use snow-removal equipment designed specifically for solar panels
• Conduct a thorough shade analysis before installation to avoid tree shading
• Select hail-resistant panels with tempered glass that meet local weather condition requirements
• Implement a regular maintenance schedule, especially before winter and after severe weather events

While Lemont isn't ideal for year-round consistent solar production due to its seasonal variations, properly installed systems can still provide significant energy generation, particularly during the longer, sunnier days from April through September.

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 Lemont

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6736, Longitude: -88.0017 (Lemont, 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 Lemont, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lemont, United States (Lat/Long 41.6736, -88.0017) 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 Lemont, 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 Lemont, 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	55° South in Winter	34° 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 Lemont, 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 Lemont, 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 Lemont, United States

Lemont, Illinois, is situated in northeastern Illinois, approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The topography of the Lemont area is characterized by gently rolling terrain with modest elevation changes, shaped significantly by glacial activity during the last ice age. The landscape features subtle hills and shallow valleys, with elevations generally ranging between 600 and 700 feet above sea level.

Notable Topographical Features

One of the most defining topographical features near Lemont is the Des Plaines River Valley, which cuts through the area. This valley was formed by massive glacial meltwater floods thousands of years ago and creates a notable depression in the otherwise modestly undulating landscape. The river itself flows northwest to southeast through the region, eventually joining the Illinois River. To the north and east of Lemont, the terrain gradually flattens into the greater Chicago plain. The western and southern portions maintain slightly more varied relief with subtle hills and depressions, remnants of terminal moraines left by retreating glaciers. The area also features several quarries, both active and reclaimed, which have modified the natural topography in places. These quarries reflect the region's rich geological history, with exposed dolomite limestone that dates back to the Silurian period, approximately 420 million years ago.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

The relatively flat to gently rolling terrain around Lemont offers several promising areas for large-scale solar PV development. The most suitable locations would be: Former agricultural lands to the south and southwest of Lemont present excellent opportunities for solar development. These areas typically feature open, relatively flat terrain with minimal shading concerns. The rural character of these lands often means fewer zoning restrictions and lower land costs compared to areas closer to suburban development. Reclaimed quarry sites around Lemont could be repurposed for solar installations. These brownfield sites often have minimal ecological value in their current state, making them ideal candidates for renewable energy development. Their generally open exposure and lack of tall vegetation create favorable conditions for solar collection. Areas along transportation corridors, particularly alongside Interstate 55 and the adjacent frontage roads south of Lemont, offer potential for linear solar developments. These corridors already represent disturbed landscapes and could accommodate solar arrays with minimal additional environmental impact. The industrial zones along the Ship and Sanitary Canal, while having some space constraints, might accommodate smaller commercial-scale solar installations on rooftops or unused parcels. These locations benefit from existing electrical infrastructure that could potentially facilitate grid interconnection.

Topographical Considerations for Solar Development

While the Lemont area is generally conducive to solar development, certain topographical factors warrant consideration. The modest hills in the region, particularly to the west, may create some localized shading concerns that would need site-specific evaluation. South-facing slopes, even gentle ones, would offer optimal solar exposure and should be prioritized when available. Drainage patterns across the rolling terrain require careful site planning to ensure proper stormwater management around solar installations. The clay-rich glacial soils common in the region can sometimes present drainage challenges that need engineering solutions. The Des Plaines River floodplain should generally be avoided for major solar installations due to periodic flooding risks, though some elevated portions at the margins of the floodplain might be suitable with appropriate design considerations. Areas with significant tree cover, particularly in conservation areas and forest preserves like Waterfall Glen to the northeast, would be inappropriate for development both due to shading issues and environmental concerns. Fortunately, the region offers plenty of already-cleared agricultural and post-industrial land better suited to solar deployment.

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.