Solar PV Analysis of Madison, Ohio, United States
Madison, Ohio, in the United States is a decent location for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. However, the effectiveness of this method can vary significantly based on the season.
In simple terms, a solar PV system here can produce an average of 6.00 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity during the summer months. This is quite a good amount and makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production at this location.
During autumn, however, this output drops to about 3.29 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power. The winter months see an even steeper drop to just 1.79 kWh/day per kW installed capacity - making it the least productive period for solar generation in Madison.
Spring sees a significant improvement from winter with approximately 5.40 kWh/day produced per kW installed power - putting it close behind summer in terms of productivity.
Now let's talk about installation specifics: For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of around 36 degrees towards South would provide maximum total year-round production from your solar PV system.
As far as local factors that could affect your ability to generate electricity from sunlight go, Madison is located near Lake Erie which means it often experiences lake-effect snow during winter months that could cover and reduce efficiency of your panels or even damage them over time if not properly maintained and cleared regularly.
Additionally there are also potential issues related to local wildlife such as birds nesting or defecating on panels which can reduce their efficiency as well over time if not regularly cleaned off.
To counter these challenges you might consider installing automated cleaning systems or protective measures like bird spikes on your panels; regular maintenance checks are also highly recommended to ensure optimal performance throughout all seasons and weather conditions regardless though!
Overall while Madison isn't necessarily 'ideal' for year-round solar generation, it's certainly feasible and can still be quite productive especially during summer and spring months with proper installation and maintenance.
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 Madison, Ohio
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.802, Longitude: -81.0561 (Madison, Ohio, 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 Madison, Ohio, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Madison, Ohio, United States (Lat/Long 41.802, -81.0561) 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 Madison, Ohio, 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 Madison, Ohio, 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 Madison, Ohio, 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 Madison, Ohio, 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 Madison, Ohio, United States
Madison, United States (Ohio) is located in a region characterized by a relatively flat to gently rolling terrain. The area is part of the Great Lakes Plains and has an average elevation of about 223 meters above sea level. The land is mostly comprised of farmland and suburban areas with some forested regions.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal as they allow for easy installation and maximum sunlight exposure. In the Madison area, the extensive farmlands could potentially be suitable for such projects given their openness and relatively flat terrain.
However, suitability also depends on other factors like local climate (amount of sunlight received), land use regulations, proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity etc. Therefore, while topography is favorable in this region, a comprehensive feasibility study considering all these factors would be necessary to identify specific suitable sites.
Agricultural lands can sometimes double up as solar farms without compromising their original use – a concept known as agrivoltaics or dual-use farming where crops that thrive in partial shade are grown under solar panels. This could be another potential avenue worth exploring in this region.
Additionally, if there are any closed landfills or brownfield sites (previously developed lands that are not currently in use) nearby Madison; they might serve as good locations for setting up large-scale solar PV systems too due to lesser conflicts with existing land uses.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 29th of February 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.
