Normal, Illinois experiences moderate solar energy potential throughout the year, with significant seasonal variation that makes it a reasonably viable location for solar PV installations, though not among the most ideal in the United States.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows strong summer performance at 6.29 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making June through August the prime solar generation months. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.30 kWh per day per kW, indicating that April and May offer excellent solar conditions as daylight hours increase and weather improves. Autumn production drops to 3.49 kWh per day per kW as days shorten and cloud cover increases. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.33 kWh per day per kW, representing roughly one-third of summer output levels.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Normal, Illinois, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for seasonal solar potential.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Normal, Illinois can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Heavy snow accumulation during winter months can block panels and reduce output
• Frequent cloud cover and overcast skies, particularly in late fall and winter
• Ice storms that can damage panels or create persistent ice coverage
• High humidity and occasional severe thunderstorms during summer months

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove beneficial:

• Install panels with adequate spacing for snow to slide off naturally
• Use mounting systems that allow for safe manual snow removal when necessary
• Choose panels with anti-reflective coatings and robust weather sealing
• Ensure proper grounding and surge protection against lightning strikes
• Position installations away from large trees that could create shade or drop debris

Regular maintenance including cleaning and inspection after severe weather events will help maintain optimal performance throughout the year. While Normal, Illinois faces seasonal challenges, proper installation and maintenance can help solar systems achieve their expected output levels across all seasons.

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 Normal

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.5093, Longitude: -88.9844 (Normal, 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 Normal, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Normal, United States (Lat/Long 40.5093, -88.9844) 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 Normal, 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 Normal, 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
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Normal, 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 Normal, 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 Normal, United States

Topographical Characteristics of Normal, Illinois

Normal, Illinois sits in the heart of the American Midwest within McLean County, positioned in a region characterized by remarkably flat terrain that extends across much of central Illinois. The landscape around Normal represents classic prairie topography, featuring gently rolling plains with minimal elevation changes across vast distances. This area lies within the Till Plains physiographic region, which was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in the relatively uniform, low-relief terrain visible today.

The elevation around Normal typically ranges from approximately 750 to 850 feet above sea level, with the town itself situated at roughly 800 feet. The terrain slopes very gradually, with most areas experiencing elevation changes of less than 50 feet per mile. This gentle topography creates an expansive, open landscape with few natural obstructions to solar radiation throughout the day.

The Mackinaw River flows through the eastern portions of McLean County, creating subtle valleys and slightly more varied topography in those areas, though even these river valleys maintain relatively gentle slopes. Agricultural drainage patterns have further modified the landscape, with many areas featuring constructed drainage systems that help manage water flow across the flat terrain during wet periods.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topographical characteristics around Normal create exceptionally favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The extensive flat to gently rolling terrain eliminates many of the challenges associated with solar development in more mountainous or hilly regions, such as shading from adjacent ridges or the need for complex grading and site preparation.

Areas to the west and southwest of Normal present particularly attractive opportunities for solar development. These locations feature some of the flattest terrain in the region, with minimal elevation variation across large contiguous areas. The consistent gentle slopes in these areas provide natural drainage while maintaining optimal positioning for solar panel arrays.

The agricultural lands surrounding Normal offer significant potential for solar development, as the flat topography that makes the region ideal for farming also creates perfect conditions for solar installations. Many of these areas feature large, unobstructed parcels with minimal tree cover and few buildings, providing the clear sight lines necessary for maximum solar collection efficiency.

Areas north and east of Normal also present good opportunities, though some locations near the Mackinaw River system may require additional consideration for drainage and potential flooding concerns. The slightly more varied topography in these areas can still accommodate large solar installations, particularly on the higher ground away from immediate river corridors.

The absence of significant hills, ridges, or other topographical features that could create shadows makes virtually any location around Normal suitable for solar development from a terrain perspective. This uniform topography allows for flexible site selection based primarily on factors such as land availability, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and local zoning considerations rather than being constrained by challenging terrain features.

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.