Saint Jacob, Illinois, United States shows moderate potential for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation typical of locations in the Northern Temperate Zone.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location experiences strong summer production at 6.58 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making summer the peak generation period. Spring also provides good output at 5.39 kWh per day per kW, creating an extended period of higher solar yields from roughly March through September. Autumn performance drops to 3.95 kWh per day per kW, while winter shows the lowest production at just 2.39 kWh per day per kW. This represents a nearly three-fold difference between peak summer and minimum winter output, which is typical for mid-latitude locations but requires careful system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. For fixed panel installations at Saint Jacob, the optimal tilt angle is 34 degrees facing south to maximize total annual energy production. This angle balances the sun's varying height throughout the seasons to capture the most solar energy over the entire year.

Local Environmental Factors

Several environmental and weather factors in this Illinois location can impact solar energy production:

• Midwest weather patterns bring frequent cloud cover, particularly during winter months when production is already at its lowest
• Snow accumulation during winter can block panels entirely, temporarily reducing output to zero until cleared
• High humidity levels common in the region can create haze that reduces solar irradiance
• Severe thunderstorms with hail pose potential physical damage risks to solar panels
• Agricultural dust from surrounding farmland can accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps snow slide off naturally rather than accumulating. Using high-quality panels with strong hail ratings and protective glass coatings provides better durability against severe weather. Regular cleaning schedules become particularly important in this agricultural region to remove dust buildup. Installing monitoring systems allows quick identification of performance drops due to soiling or weather damage. Proper grounding and surge protection equipment helps protect against lightning damage from frequent thunderstorms. Overall, Saint Jacob offers reasonable solar potential with proper system design and maintenance, though the significant winter production drop means systems should be sized accordingly for year-round energy independence.

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 Saint Jacob

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7139, Longitude: -89.7682 (Saint Jacob, 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 34° South in Saint Jacob, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint Jacob, United States (Lat/Long 38.7139, -89.7682) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Saint Jacob, 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 Saint Jacob, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	32° 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 Saint Jacob, 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 Saint Jacob, 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 Saint Jacob, United States

Topography Around Saint Jacob, Illinois

Saint Jacob is situated in the gently rolling agricultural landscape of southwestern Illinois, approximately 30 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The terrain in this region is characterized by relatively flat to gently undulating farmland that was shaped by ancient glacial activity during the last ice age. The area sits at a modest elevation, with the surrounding countryside featuring subtle rises and depressions that create a pleasant, varied landscape without any dramatic elevation changes.

The topography consists primarily of fertile prairie soils that have been converted to agricultural use over the past two centuries. Rolling hills with gentle slopes are interspersed with creek valleys and small watersheds that drain toward the Mississippi River system to the west. These natural drainage patterns create a landscape of shallow valleys and low ridges, with elevation changes typically ranging from 20 to 100 feet across the broader area.

The region benefits from excellent soil conditions and relatively stable geology, as it sits on bedrock formations that are well-suited for development. The glacial till that covers much of the area provides good foundation conditions, while the generally level terrain makes construction and infrastructure development straightforward and cost-effective.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The best locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Saint Jacob would be the expansive flat to gently sloping agricultural fields that dominate the landscape. These open areas provide the unobstructed southern exposure that solar arrays require for maximum efficiency, while the minimal topographic variation reduces grading and site preparation costs significantly.

Particularly well-suited areas include the broad, level fields to the south and west of Saint Jacob, where the terrain is most consistently flat and where existing agricultural land use patterns have already created large, uninterrupted parcels. The gentle south-facing slopes found throughout the region are ideal for solar installations, as they naturally orient panels toward the sun while providing adequate drainage.

The area's proximity to existing electrical transmission infrastructure is another significant advantage. The region is well-served by transmission lines that connect to the broader electrical grid serving the St. Louis metropolitan area and beyond. This existing infrastructure reduces the cost and complexity of connecting large solar installations to the power grid.

Areas to avoid would include the steeper creek valleys and any locations with significant tree cover, though these represent a relatively small portion of the overall landscape. The numerous farm fields that have been cleared for agriculture over many decades provide ready-made sites that would require minimal additional clearing or environmental disruption for solar 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!

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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.