Solar PV Analysis of Park Forest, United States
Park Forest, Illinois, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar energy production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.27 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.30 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 3.39 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output, with only 2.05 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Park Forest experiences substantial seasonal variations in solar energy production. The long, sunny days of summer provide ideal conditions for solar PV systems, while the short, often overcast days of winter significantly reduce energy generation.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Park Forest, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Park Forest's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The area experiences cold winters with frequent snowfall, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps shed snow more easily. Additionally, the region is prone to overcast days, particularly in autumn and winter, which can impact solar output.
To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:
- Use high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove snow and debris
- Consider a ground-mounted system for easier maintenance and snow removal
Despite these challenges, Park Forest's location still offers a viable opportunity for solar energy production, especially during the spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, a solar PV system can provide significant energy benefits throughout 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 Park Forest
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.4914, Longitude: -87.6745 (Park Forest, 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 Park Forest, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Park Forest, United States (Lat/Long 41.4914, -87.6745) 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 Park Forest, 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 Park Forest, 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 Park Forest, 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 Park Forest, 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 Park Forest, United States
The topography around Park Forest, Illinois, located at 41.4914°N and 87.6745°W, is generally characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain. This area is part of the Chicago metropolitan region and sits within the vast Midwestern prairie landscape. The land is predominantly low-lying, with subtle changes in elevation throughout the region.
Park Forest and its surroundings are situated on what was once glacial till plain, shaped by the retreat of massive ice sheets during the last ice age. As a result, the area features a mix of low hills, shallow depressions, and expansive flat areas. The elevation changes are typically gradual, with no dramatic peaks or valleys in the immediate vicinity.
The region also includes some forested areas, particularly to the south and east of Park Forest, which add slight variations to the otherwise level landscape. Small streams and creeks meander through the area, but there are no major rivers or large bodies of water in the immediate vicinity of Park Forest.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have the following characteristics:
- Large, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings
- Relatively flat terrain to simplify installation and maximize sun exposure
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection
- Areas with lower agricultural or ecological value to minimize environmental impact
Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations near Park Forest would likely be found in the following locations:
- Former agricultural lands or fallow fields to the south and east of Park Forest
- Unused industrial or commercial properties in the broader Chicago metropolitan area
- Reclaimed landfills or brownfield sites that have been properly remediated
- Large, open spaces along major transportation corridors, such as highway rights-of-way
It's important to note that specific site selection would require detailed environmental and technical assessments, as well as consideration of local zoning laws and community input. The flat terrain and open spaces in the region surrounding Park Forest generally provide favorable conditions for solar energy development, but each potential site would need to be evaluated individually to ensure its suitability for a large-scale solar PV installation.
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 10th of October 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.
