Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Sun Prairie, with an impressive daily output of 6.39kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.19kWh/day. However, the colder months see a substantial drop in production, with autumn yielding 3.29kWh/day and winter falling to a mere 2.25kWh/day.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warm and cold seasons, with summer producing nearly three times as much energy as winter. This variation underscores the importance of efficient energy storage and management systems to balance the fluctuations in power generation throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Sun Prairie, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 37-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's changing position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Sun Prairie: 1. Snowfall: Wisconsin's winters can bring heavy snowfall, potentially covering panels and reducing efficiency. 2. Cloud cover: The region experiences significant cloud cover, especially in winter months.

To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and incorporating snow removal techniques can help maintain production during winter months. Regular cleaning and maintenance are also crucial to ensure optimal performance year-round.

Despite these challenges, Sun Prairie's location still offers viable conditions for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early fall. With proper planning and installation techniques, a solar PV system can provide significant energy contributions to local power needs.

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 Sun Prairie

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.1899, Longitude: -89.2185 (Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sun Prairie, United States (Lat/Long 43.1899, -89.2185) 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 Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie, United States

The topography around Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, located at 43.1899°N and 89.2185°W, is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This area is part of the broader Midwest region known for its expansive prairies and farmlands. The landscape is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which left behind a mix of fertile soils and scattered glacial features. Sun Prairie itself sits at an elevation of approximately 980 feet (300 meters) above sea level. The surrounding area gradually slopes downward towards the south and east, with some gentle undulations throughout the region. To the west, the land becomes slightly more hilly as it approaches the Wisconsin River valley.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Sun Prairie, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those with ample open space, minimal shading, and relatively flat terrain to reduce installation costs and maximize sunlight exposure. The agricultural lands surrounding Sun Prairie offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas typically feature large, open fields with minimal obstructions, making them ideal for solar panel arrays. The gently rolling terrain in many of these locations would not significantly impact solar panel efficiency and could be easily accommodated during installation. Areas to the south and east of Sun Prairie may be particularly well-suited for solar PV projects. These regions tend to have slightly flatter terrain, which can simplify installation and reduce costs associated with land preparation. Additionally, south-facing slopes, even gentle ones, can provide optimal angles for solar panels to capture sunlight throughout the day. It's worth noting that while the entire region receives adequate sunlight for solar energy production, careful site selection is crucial to maximize efficiency. Factors such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also play a role in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations in the vicinity of Sun Prairie.

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.