Solar PV Analysis of Midland, United States
Midland, Michigan is a decent place for generating solar energy year-round, although it's not the best. In simple terms, the amount of solar energy you can generate depends on how much sunlight your solar panels receive. This varies throughout the year due to changes in weather and seasons.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This is because summer days are longer and usually sunnier. Spring also offers good production with around 5.39 kWh/day per kW installed thanks to longer daylight hours and generally clear skies.
However, in autumn and winter when days are shorter and often cloudier or snowier, less sunlight reaches your panels so they produce less electricity - about 2.98 kWh/day per kW in Autumn and only 1.96 kWh/day per kW in Winter.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your fixed panel installation at an angle of 37 degrees facing South which will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible across different times of the year.
The local climate does pose some challenges for generating solar power here though - Midland experiences significant seasonal variation with hot summers but cold winters that often bring snowfall which could cover up your panels reducing their output significantly if not cleared off promptly.
Additionally, Michigan has more cloudy days than many other states which means there might be less direct sunlight available for conversion into electricity by your PV system especially during Fall/Winter months when cloud cover tends to be higher.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these factors:
1) Regular maintenance including cleaning off any accumulated dust or debris on the panels especially after storms or heavy snowfall would keep them working optimally.
2) Installing a snow guard above the array can prevent accumulation of snow on the panels.
3) Additionally, using solar panel coatings that repel water and dirt can help keep them clean and functioning efficiently.
4) Tracking systems that move the panels to follow the sun throughout the day could also be considered for maximizing sunlight capture although this would increase installation costs.
So while Midland isn't an ideal location for solar energy generation like say Arizona or California, with careful planning, regular maintenance and possibly some extra investment in advanced features you can still generate a decent amount of electricity from your solar PV system throughout the year.
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 Midland
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.642, Longitude: -84.2673 (Midland, 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 Midland, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Midland, United States (Lat/Long 43.642, -84.2673) 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 Midland, 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 Midland, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 37° 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 Midland, 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 Midland, 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 Midland, United States
Midland, Michigan is located in the Great Lakes region of the U.S., and its topography is characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with fertile soils. The area has a mix of urban and rural land use, with significant areas of forested lands and water bodies including rivers and lakes.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be open, flat regions that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the year. These could include cleared agricultural lands or other undeveloped areas that are not shaded by trees or buildings. It's also preferable if these locations are close to existing infrastructure like roads and power lines to reduce installation costs.
However, it should be noted that Michigan has relatively low solar irradiance compared to more southern states due to its northern latitude. This means that while solar PV can still be viable in this area, it may produce less electricity per unit area than similar installations further south.
Moreover, any potential environmental impacts such as loss of farmland or natural habitats would need to be considered before deciding on specific sites for large-scale solar projects.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 28th 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.
