Solar PV Analysis of Sturgeon Bay, United States
Based on the energy output per kilowatt of installed solar, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin is a decent location for generating solar energy year-round. However, it's not equally good throughout all seasons.
During summer and spring, there's more sunlight so you can expect to produce more electricity with your solar panels - 6.36 kWh/day in summer and 5.22 kWh/day in spring per kilowatt of installed solar. On the other hand, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight, you'll generate less power - about 3.09 kWh/day in autumn and only 1.81 kWh/day in winter.
As for installing the panels themselves at this location, tilting them towards south at an angle of 38 degrees will give you maximum total production from your solar PV installation throughout the year.
Now let’s talk about possible local factors that could affect your solar production here: First off is weather; Sturgeon Bay has a significant amount of cloudy days which could potentially reduce the efficiency of your panels as they need direct sunlight to function optimally.
Secondly is snowfall; winters can be quite harsh with heavy snowfall which may cover up your panels thus blocking out sunlight completely until cleared away.
But don't worry too much! There are ways around these challenges:
For dealing with cloudiness or lack of sun exposure during certain times (like winters), consider getting a battery storage system along with your PV installation so that excess power generated during sunny periods can be stored for use later when sunshine isn't as abundant.
In case of heavy snowfalls covering up your panels thereby reducing their efficiency or even stopping production altogether till they're cleared off again: Consider installing automated cleaning systems or heated panel technologies that help melt away any accumulated snow quickly thus ensuring uninterrupted operation even during snowy conditions!
So overall while Sturgeon Bay may not be an ideal spot for producing maximum amounts of solar power year-round due to its weather, it's still a good enough location if you take the right measures to overcome these challenges.
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 Sturgeon Bay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.8439, Longitude: -87.3734 (Sturgeon Bay, 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 38° South in Sturgeon Bay, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sturgeon Bay, United States (Lat/Long 44.8439, -87.3734) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Sturgeon Bay, 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 Sturgeon Bay, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 59° South in Winter | 37° 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 Sturgeon Bay, 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 Sturgeon Bay, 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 Sturgeon Bay, United States
Sturgeon Bay is located in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The area is characterized by a varied topography with flat areas, rolling hills and valleys. It's surrounded by the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan which gives it a unique coastal landscape.
The region has a mix of agricultural land, forests and urbanized areas. The flat agricultural lands would be most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as they provide ample space for setting up solar panels without significant geographical obstructions to sunlight.
Moreover, these areas are usually less populated reducing potential conflicts over land use. Another advantage is that such lands are often close to existing electrical grids making it easier to connect the generated power.
However, actual suitability would require more detailed analysis including solar irradiance levels throughout the year (which vary due to weather patterns), local regulations regarding renewable energy installations and economic factors like cost of land among others.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 11th 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.
