Solar PV Analysis of Oberlin, United States
The location in Oberlin, Ohio is not the most ideal for year-round solar energy production, but it's still feasible and can be productive.
In simple terms, how much electricity you can generate from solar power depends on how much sunlight your panels get. At this location in Ohio, the amount of sunlight varies quite a bit throughout the year. In summer and spring, there's a good amount of sun so you'd get more electricity: about 6.12 kilowatt hours per day in summer and 5.47 kilowatt hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of solar panels installed.
However, during autumn and winter months when days are shorter and there's less sunlight overall because of cloud cover or snowfall; the output drops to around 3.40 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to just 1.78kWh/day in winter.
To maximize your total yearly solar energy generation at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of about 35 degrees facing southwards.
There are some other local factors that could affect your solar production too - like weather conditions including heavy snowfall or frequent cloudy days which may block out sunlight significantly affecting panel efficiency.
One way to combat these issues would be installing a system that allows you to adjust the angle of your panels throughout the year as needed based on seasonal changes (more vertical during winter for example). You might also consider using micro-inverters which allow each panel to operate independently thus reducing impact if one panel gets covered by snow or debris while others remain clear.
Also remember regular maintenance such as cleaning off any debris or snow from your panels helps ensure they're working efficiently all through the year.
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 Oberlin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.2925, Longitude: -82.219 (Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oberlin, United States (Lat/Long 41.2925, -82.219) 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 Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° 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 Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, United States
Oberlin is located in the state of Ohio, United States. The topography around Oberlin is generally flat to gently rolling, characteristic of the Great Lakes Plains region. This flat terrain makes it relatively easy for construction and installation processes.
Large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems require a significant amount of land area that receives ample sunlight throughout the year. Given this requirement, areas with open fields or farmlands would be most suitable for setting up large-scale solar PV systems near Oberlin.
The region around Oberlin has several such open spaces and agricultural lands which could potentially be used for this purpose. Also, considering that Ohio gets an average of 4 hours of peak sun per day, it's quite viable to set up solar PV installations here.
However, other factors must also be considered when deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV systems including local zoning laws and regulations, proximity to power grids for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity, environmental impact assessments etc., which might limit some potential locations despite them having suitable physical characteristics.
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: Wednesday 3rd 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.
