Solar PV Analysis of Springfield, Illinois, United States
Springfield, Illinois is a decent place for generating solar energy all year round. However, it's not perfect and there are better times of the year than others. The most electricity from solar panels can be produced in the summer when each kilowatt of installed solar can generate 6.55 kilowatt-hours per day. Spring is also a pretty good time with 5.38 kilowatt-hours per day generated by each kilowatt of installed solar.
On the other hand, autumn and winter produce less electricity due to shorter daylight hours and more cloud cover - only about 3.78 and 2.27 kilowatt-hours per day respectively for every kilowatt of installed solar.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Springfield, you should tilt them at an angle that faces 34 degrees South.
There might be some local factors that could reduce how much energy your panels can produce though:
1) Weather: Springfield has its fair share of cloudy days especially during fall and winter which could limit sunlight exposure.
2) Environment: Depending on where you live or work in Springfield, buildings or trees might shade your panels decreasing their efficiency.
3) Dust & Debris: Over time dust or debris like leaves may accumulate on your panel surface limiting sunlight absorption.
You can take steps to mitigate these issues:
1) Site selection: Try to install your panels somewhere they'll get maximum sun exposure all year round – avoid shaded areas if possible.
2) Regular Cleaning & Maintenance: Keep panels clean from dust and debris so they absorb as much sunlight as possible.
3) Installation Design: Ensure proper design during installation such as using mounting structures that allow easy adjustment according to seasonal sun positions will help optimize production across different seasons.
In summary, while not ideal all-year-round due to varying weather conditions especially during fall/winter months; with proper setup & regular maintenance one could still harness a good amount of solar energy in Springfield, Illinois.
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 Springfield, Illinois
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.8522, Longitude: -89.6476 (Springfield, Illinois, 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 Springfield, Illinois, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Springfield, Illinois, United States (Lat/Long 39.8522, -89.6476) 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 Springfield, Illinois, 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 Springfield, Illinois, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 44° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 33° 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 Springfield, Illinois, 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 Springfield, Illinois, 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 Springfield, Illinois, United States
The coordinates provided point to Springfield, Illinois. The topography of this area is generally flat with some minor rolling hills. This region falls within the Central Plains of the United States and is characterized by prairies and farmland.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal as they reduce installation costs and maximize sun exposure. Given Springfield's landscape, there would be multiple suitable locations for such projects in the surrounding rural areas that are not used intensively for agriculture or other purposes.
In terms of solar potential, Illinois receives an average annual sunshine comparable to parts of Florida which makes it a good candidate for solar power generation. The southern part around Sangamon County could be particularly suitable due to its relatively higher levels of sunlight compared to northern regions.
However, practical considerations like proximity to existing electrical grid infrastructure, local zoning laws, land prices and environmental impact assessments would also play a significant role in determining the best specific sites for large-scale solar installations.
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: Friday 19th of April 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.
