Monmouth, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar PV systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Monmouth peaks during the summer months, with an impressive 6.36 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 5.24 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decline to 3.71 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.33 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. Despite the winter lull, the location still offers viable solar potential, especially during the warmer months.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Monmouth, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 36-degree tilt angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best possible energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Monmouth's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snowfall: Winter accumulation can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps with snow shedding.
• Cloud cover: The region experiences partly cloudy conditions, which can affect solar output. Using high-efficiency panels can help mitigate this impact.

To address these factors, consider snow-shedding panel designs and regular maintenance to keep panels clear. Additionally, incorporating energy storage solutions can help balance out production fluctuations caused by weather conditions.

Overall, while Monmouth experiences seasonal variations in solar potential, it remains a viable location for solar PV installations, especially when systems are optimized for local conditions.

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 Monmouth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.916, Longitude: -90.6377 (Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Monmouth, United States (Lat/Long 40.916, -90.6377) 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 Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, 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
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 Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, United States

The topography around Monmouth, Illinois, located at latitude 40.916 and longitude -90.6377, is characterized by gently rolling plains typical of the Midwestern United States. This area is part of the vast Prairie Peninsula, a region known for its relatively flat to slightly undulating terrain. The landscape is primarily composed of fertile agricultural lands, interspersed with small woodlands and occasional shallow valleys carved by streams and rivers. The elevation in and around Monmouth varies subtly, with most of the area sitting between 700 and 800 feet above sea level. This gentle variation in elevation creates a softly undulating landscape that stretches for miles in all directions. The terrain is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which left behind a layer of rich soil atop a bedrock of sedimentary rocks.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Monmouth for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be those that offer expansive, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or structures. Given the predominantly agricultural nature of the region, many nearby areas could potentially be well-suited for solar PV development. Ideal sites would be found on the slightly elevated portions of the rolling plains, where the land is relatively flat but with a slight tilt towards the south. This orientation would maximize exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Areas to the south and west of Monmouth might be particularly suitable, as they tend to have more open farmland with fewer obstructions. It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and current land use would also need to be considered. Additionally, areas near water bodies or in low-lying regions prone to flooding should be avoided to ensure the longevity and efficiency of the solar installations. Overall, the gently rolling topography and abundance of open land in the vicinity of Monmouth provide numerous potential sites for large-scale solar PV development, making this region a promising area for renewable energy 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!

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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.