Solar PV Analysis of Oak Lawn, United States
Oak Lawn, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.27 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.30 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decline to 3.39 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.05 kWh/day.
This seasonal variation indicates that Oak Lawn residents can expect optimal solar energy production from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Oak Lawn, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 36-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation helps optimize sunlight capture across all seasons, balancing the sun's varying positions throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Oak Lawn's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Oak Lawn experiences significant snowfall in winter, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow-shedding systems can mitigate this issue.
- Cloud cover: The region's climate includes frequent cloud cover, particularly in late fall and winter. Using high-efficiency panels and microinverters can help maximize energy production even during overcast conditions.
Despite these challenges, proper installation techniques and regular maintenance can ensure that solar PV systems in Oak Lawn operate efficiently year-round. The substantial energy production during spring and summer months can often offset the reduced winter output, making solar a viable option for this Illinois location.
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 Oak Lawn
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.7124, Longitude: -87.7478 (Oak Lawn, 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 Oak Lawn, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oak Lawn, United States (Lat/Long 41.7124, -87.7478) 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 Oak Lawn, 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 Oak Lawn, 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 | 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 Oak Lawn, 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 Oak Lawn, 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 Oak Lawn, United States
The topography around Oak Lawn, Illinois, is generally characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain. This area is part of the Chicago metropolitan region and sits within the vast Prairie Plains that extend across much of the Midwest. The landscape is predominantly level, with only slight variations in elevation throughout the vicinity.
Oak Lawn itself has an average elevation of about 610 feet (186 meters) above sea level. The surrounding areas don't deviate significantly from this height, with most of the terrain remaining relatively uniform. There are no major hills, mountains, or deep valleys in the immediate vicinity. The flatness of the region is largely due to its glacial history, as the area was shaped by the retreat of massive ice sheets during the last ice age.
The nearby Des Plaines River valley, located to the west of Oak Lawn, represents one of the few areas with more noticeable topographic variation. However, even this feature is relatively subtle in the context of the overall flat landscape.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Oak Lawn, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would have the following characteristics:
1. Open, flat land: The flat terrain prevalent in the region is generally favorable for solar installations. Areas to the south and southwest of Oak Lawn, where there is less urban development, might offer suitable expanses of open land.
2. Minimal shading: Locations away from tall buildings or dense forests would be preferable. The relatively treeless prairie landscape in parts of the surrounding area could be advantageous.
3. Proximity to existing infrastructure: Areas near power lines and substations would be more cost-effective for connecting to the grid. The industrial corridors south of Chicago might offer such opportunities.
4. Non-prime agricultural land: While much of the surrounding area is used for agriculture, less productive farmland or brownfield sites could be repurposed for solar installations.
5. Away from residential areas: To minimize potential conflicts with local communities, areas further from densely populated neighborhoods would be preferable.
Considering these factors, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations near Oak Lawn might be found in the less developed regions to the south and southwest. These areas potentially offer a combination of open space, flat terrain, and proximity to existing power infrastructure, making them promising candidates for solar energy development.
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 1st of August 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.
