Solar PV Analysis of Northbrook, United States
Northbrook, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, reflecting the typical climate patterns of the region.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Northbrook, with an impressive daily output of 6.24 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.20 kWh per day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
However, the colder months see a substantial drop in solar performance. Autumn yields a moderate 3.17 kWh per day, while winter experiences a significant decline to just 1.80 kWh daily. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy generation in this location.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Northbrook, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impede solar production in Northbrook:
- Snowfall: Winter accumulation can cover panels, reducing efficiency.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast days, particularly in winter.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help maintain optimal performance despite these challenges.
In conclusion, while Northbrook's location isn't ideal for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and maintenance can still make solar a viable option, especially during the more productive spring and summer months.
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 Northbrook
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.1212, Longitude: -87.8405 (Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Northbrook, United States (Lat/Long 42.1212, -87.8405) 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 Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, 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 | 46° 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 Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, United States
The topography around Northbrook, Illinois, which is located at 42.1212 degrees latitude and -87.8405 degrees longitude, is generally characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain. This area is part of the Chicago Plain, a region shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age. The landscape is predominantly low-lying, with subtle variations in elevation throughout the surrounding area.
Northbrook itself sits at an elevation of approximately 640 feet (195 meters) above sea level. The terrain in the immediate vicinity is relatively uniform, with only minor changes in elevation. As you move away from Northbrook, you may encounter some slightly more pronounced hills and shallow valleys, but these are generally modest in scale.
The area around Northbrook features a mix of suburban development, forest preserves, and some agricultural land. To the east, the terrain gradually slopes down towards Lake Michigan, while to the west, the landscape becomes slightly more varied with some low hills and small river valleys.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to consider:
- Open, flat land: Areas to the west and northwest of Northbrook, where there is more open space and agricultural land, could potentially be suitable for solar farms. These areas tend to have fewer obstructions and more consistent terrain.
- Minimal shading: Locations away from tall buildings, dense forests, or significant topographical features that could cast shadows would be ideal. The relatively flat nature of the region is generally favorable for solar installations.
- Proximity to infrastructure: Areas close to existing electrical infrastructure and substations would be advantageous for connecting large-scale solar projects to the grid.
- Zoning considerations: Regions zoned for industrial or agricultural use might be more amenable to large-scale solar developments than residential or protected natural areas.
While the immediate surroundings of Northbrook are largely developed, exploring options in the less densely populated areas to the west and northwest could yield potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations. However, it's important to note that specific site assessments, environmental impact studies, and local regulations would need to be considered for any actual solar development 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: Thursday 25th of July 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.
