Caledonia, Michigan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a varied landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production fluctuates significantly across seasons, offering both opportunities and challenges for those considering solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy production in Caledonia, with an impressive daily output of 6.39 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.43 kWh/day. These warmer months, characterized by longer daylight hours and higher sun angles, provide ideal conditions for solar power generation. Autumn sees a noticeable decline in solar output, with 3.13 kWh/day. Winter presents the most significant challenge, producing only 1.79 kWh/day. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the importance of efficient system design and proper panel orientation to maximize year-round energy production.

Optimal Panel Orientation

For fixed panel installations in Caledonia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize total year-round production is 36 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Caledonia: 1. Snow accumulation: Michigan's winters can bring significant snowfall, which may temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow-shedding systems can help mitigate this issue. 2. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloud cover, particularly in late autumn and winter. Using high-efficiency panels and microinverters can help maximize energy production even in less-than-ideal light conditions. 3. Temperature fluctuations: While cooler temperatures can actually improve panel efficiency, extreme cold can potentially damage system components. Choosing cold-weather rated equipment is crucial for long-term system reliability. To address these challenges, consider implementing the following preventative measures:

• Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding
• Use bifacial panels to capture reflected light from snow
• Implement a robust monitoring system to quickly identify and address any performance issues
• Choose high-quality, weather-resistant components designed for the local climate

By taking these factors into account and implementing appropriate solutions, solar PV systems in Caledonia can still achieve significant energy production, particularly during the favorable 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 3028 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 Caledonia, Michigan

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.7892, Longitude: -85.5167 (Caledonia, Michigan, 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 Caledonia, Michigan, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Caledonia, Michigan, United States (Lat/Long 42.7892, -85.5167) 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 Caledonia, Michigan, 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 Caledonia, Michigan, 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
27° South in Summer	46° South in Autumn	57° South in Winter	36° 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 Caledonia, Michigan, 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 Caledonia, Michigan, 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 Caledonia, Michigan, United States

The topography around Caledonia, Michigan, located at 42.7892° N latitude and 85.5167° W longitude, is characterized by gently rolling hills and flat plains typical of the Midwest region. This area, situated in Kent County, is part of the broader Great Lakes Plain, which was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago. The landscape surrounding Caledonia features a mix of agricultural fields, wooded areas, and small streams and rivers. The terrain is generally low-lying, with subtle elevation changes throughout the region. The nearby Thornapple River, a tributary of the Grand River, has carved shallow valleys and created some minor variations in the local topography.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Caledonia, several factors come into play. The most promising locations would be relatively flat, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings. These areas should also have good access to existing power infrastructure for easy grid connection. Agricultural land to the south and east of Caledonia presents some of the best opportunities for solar PV development. These areas often feature expansive, unobstructed fields that receive ample sunlight throughout the day. The flat terrain of former croplands or pastures would require minimal grading, reducing installation costs and environmental impact. Another potential area for solar development could be found in some of the region's abandoned or underutilized industrial sites. These brownfield locations, which may be present in nearby urban areas like Grand Rapids, often provide large, open spaces with existing infrastructure connections. It's important to note that while the topography around Caledonia is generally favorable for solar PV, specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and community input would also play crucial roles in identifying the best areas for large-scale solar energy 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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.