Solar PV Analysis of Carbondale, Illinois, United States
Carbondale, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 37.7202 and longitude -89.2157 provides varying levels of solar output across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Carbondale fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 6.66 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.54 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.18 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.44 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal times for solar energy production in Carbondale are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring, particularly from April to May, also offers excellent conditions for solar generation. These periods provide the best opportunity to maximize solar panel efficiency and energy output.
Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency
For fixed panel installations in Carbondale, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the city's latitude, accounting for seasonal variations in the sun's position and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Carbondale's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel output
- Occasional severe thunderstorms and hail in spring and summer may pose a risk to panel integrity
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using hail-resistant panels. Regular maintenance and cleaning, especially after snowfall or storms, can help ensure optimal performance. Additionally, implementing a robust mounting system can protect panels during severe weather events.
Despite these challenges, Carbondale's location still offers a viable opportunity for solar energy generation, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to the area's renewable energy portfolio.
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 Carbondale, Illinois
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.7202, Longitude: -89.2157 (Carbondale, Illinois, 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 33° South in Carbondale, Illinois, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carbondale, Illinois, United States (Lat/Long 37.7202, -89.2157) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Carbondale, Illinois, 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 Carbondale, Illinois, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Carbondale, Illinois, 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 Carbondale, Illinois, 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 Carbondale, Illinois, United States
Carbondale, Illinois, is situated in a region known as Southern Illinois, which has a diverse and interesting topography. The area around Carbondale is characterized by gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and some flat plains. This landscape is part of the larger Illinois Basin, which was shaped by ancient glacial activity and subsequent erosion.
To the south and east of Carbondale, you'll find the Shawnee National Forest, which features more rugged terrain with steep hills, rocky outcrops, and dense woodlands. This area is part of the Ozark Plateau and includes notable features like the Garden of the Gods and Little Grand Canyon.
To the north and west of Carbondale, the land becomes gradually flatter as it transitions into the fertile agricultural plains that Illinois is famous for. This area is characterized by expansive fields and prairies, with occasional patches of woodland.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the areas best suited for such projects would likely be found to the north and west of Carbondale. These regions offer several advantages for solar development:
- Flatter terrain: The relatively level ground makes construction and maintenance easier and more cost-effective.
- Open spaces: The agricultural lands provide large, unobstructed areas that can accommodate extensive solar arrays.
- Fewer natural obstacles: With less forest cover, there are fewer shading issues to contend with.
- Proximity to infrastructure: These areas are likely to have better access to existing power grids and transportation networks.
While the hilly areas to the south and east might offer some suitable locations for smaller solar installations, their more complex topography and forested nature make them less ideal for large-scale projects. Additionally, much of this land is protected as part of the Shawnee National Forest, which would restrict development.
It's important to note that any solar development would need to balance energy production goals with preserving valuable agricultural land and natural habitats. Local zoning laws, environmental regulations, and community preferences would also play a significant role in determining the most appropriate locations for large-scale solar PV projects in the region.
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: Monday 9th of September 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.
