Solar PV Analysis of Hartford, Wisconsin, United States
The location at Hartford, Wisconsin, United States is fairly good for generating energy using solar panels throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies by season. In summer, you can expect 6.38 kilowatt-hours per day, in autumn it's 3.27 kWh/day, in winter it drops to 2.19 kWh/day and then climbs back up to 5.25 kWh/day in spring.
From this data, we see that the best times of year for producing solar energy at this location are during the summer and spring seasons when sunlight is more abundant.
When installing a fixed panel system here, tilting your panels towards the South at an angle of about 37 degrees will allow them to catch as much sun as possible throughout the year.
Now let's talk about potential challenges for producing solar energy in Hartford:
Hartford experiences cold winters with snowfall which may cover your panels and reduce their output significantly during these months. To mitigate this issue, you could install a system that allows you to manually or automatically brush off snow from your panels or use heating elements to melt away any accumulation.
Another factor would be cloudy days common during fall and winter which could also affect production levels due to lower sunlight exposure on those days; there isn't much one can do about this except design systems with enough capacity considering these limitations.
Lastly remember trees or other structures casting shadows on your installation can greatly reduce its efficiency so make sure they're placed where they'll receive unobstructed sunlight most part of the day all-year round before installing them.
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 Hartford, Wisconsin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.318, Longitude: -88.3731 (Hartford, Wisconsin, 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 37° South in Hartford, Wisconsin, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hartford, Wisconsin, United States (Lat/Long 43.318, -88.3731) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Hartford, Wisconsin, 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 Hartford, Wisconsin, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° 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 | 47° 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 Hartford, Wisconsin, 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 Hartford, Wisconsin, 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 Hartford, Wisconsin, United States
Hartford, Wisconsin, United States is located in a region that is generally flat to gently rolling. The area features a blend of urban and rural landscapes with green spaces, forests, farmlands and residential areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are most suitable as they allow for easy installation. In the case of Hartford, the surrounding agricultural lands could be potential sites for such projects. However, this would require careful consideration of land use impacts.
In addition to physical topography, other factors like local climate regulations and policies also play a crucial role in determining the suitability for solar PV installations.
Please note that before any large-scale project can be initiated; detailed site assessments including environmental impact studies would need to be conducted.
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 16th of May 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.
