Manteno, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that are typical for this latitude and climate region.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.25 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the prime season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.26 kWh per day per kW, offering excellent production during the longer days and moderate temperatures. Autumn drops to 3.32 kWh per day per kW as daylight hours decrease and sun angles become lower. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.01 kWh per day per kW, representing less than one-third of summer production levels. For maximum year-round energy capture, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize total annual production by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for the solar irradiance potential at this specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors can significantly impact solar production in Manteno, Illinois:

• Snow accumulation: Illinois winters bring substantial snowfall that can completely block solar panels for days or weeks
• Ice formation: Freezing rain and ice storms can create persistent coverings on panel surfaces
• Frequent cloud cover: The Midwest climate features many overcast days, particularly during winter months
• Severe weather: Thunderstorms, hail, and high winds can damage equipment or reduce efficiency

Preventative Installation Measures

Several strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges:

• Proper panel angle: The recommended 35-degree tilt helps snow slide off more easily than flatter installations
• Quality mounting systems: Use robust racking designed for high wind and snow loads typical in Illinois
• Strategic placement: Avoid areas with heavy tree coverage or buildings that create shadows, especially during winter when the sun is lower
• Regular maintenance access: Design installations that allow safe snow removal and cleaning when necessary
• Microinverters or power optimizers: These can minimize production losses when individual panels are partially shaded or covered

While Manteno's location provides decent solar potential during warmer months, the significant winter production drop and weather-related challenges make it a moderately suitable rather than ideal location for solar energy generation. Proper system design and maintenance planning are essential for maximizing the investment return.

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 Manteno

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.2535, Longitude: -87.8474 (Manteno, 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 Manteno, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manteno, United States (Lat/Long 41.2535, -87.8474) 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 Manteno, 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 Manteno, 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
25° 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 Manteno, 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 Manteno, 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 Manteno, United States

Topographical Features of the Manteno Region

The area surrounding Manteno, Illinois sits within the relatively flat landscape characteristic of the American Midwest. This region forms part of the Till Plains, a geological formation created by ancient glacial activity that left behind gently rolling terrain with minimal elevation changes. The land around Manteno typically ranges from approximately 650 to 750 feet above sea level, with most variations being gradual rather than steep. The topography is dominated by agricultural fields interspersed with small woodlands and wetland areas. The Kankakee River system influences the local landscape to the south, creating some minor variations in elevation along its floodplain. These river valleys represent the most significant topographical features in the immediate vicinity, though even these depressions are relatively shallow compared to more mountainous regions. Prairie remnants and restored grasslands dot the landscape, reflecting the area's natural heritage before extensive agricultural development. The terrain generally slopes very gently from west to east, following the broader drainage patterns of the region toward Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes system.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The expansive agricultural fields surrounding Manteno present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The predominantly flat terrain eliminates concerns about shading from topographical features and provides consistent solar exposure across large areas. These open agricultural lands, particularly those located on slightly elevated areas away from the river floodplains, would be ideal for utility-scale solar farms. Areas to the west and northwest of Manteno offer particularly suitable conditions, where the land maintains consistent elevation and lacks significant tree cover. The gentle westward slope in these areas can actually benefit solar installations by providing optimal panel orientation possibilities. Former agricultural fields that have been taken out of production represent prime candidates for solar development, as they typically have existing road access and electrical infrastructure nearby. The relatively stable soil conditions, a result of the glacial till deposits, provide good foundation support for solar mounting systems. Areas away from the immediate Kankakee River corridor would be preferable to avoid any potential flooding concerns and to take advantage of the slightly higher, well-drained soils that characterize the upland portions of the region. Industrial and commercial zones along major transportation corridors also present opportunities for solar development, particularly where large flat-roofed buildings or brownfield sites could accommodate solar installations without competing with productive agricultural land use.

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.