Clinton, Indiana, United States, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production, which is typical for mid-latitude regions.

The solar energy output at this location shows a clear seasonal pattern. Summer delivers the highest production at 6.35kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.39kWh/day. Autumn yields a moderate 3.68kWh/day, while winter drops significantly to only 2.14kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

For maximum year-round energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 34-degree tilt angle facing South. This optimized angle balances seasonal variations to capture the most solar energy across the entire year.

Seasonal Considerations

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (nearly a 3:1 ratio) indicates that this location is far from ideal for consistent year-round solar generation. However, the combined spring and summer months (approximately half the year) offer very good production potential that can offset the weaker autumn and winter performance.

The peak production period from late spring through summer (May through August) would be the ideal time to rely heavily on solar generation at this location. During these months, the higher sun angle and typically longer periods of clear weather contribute to the stronger performance.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental factors could impact solar production in Clinton, Indiana:

• Winter snow accumulation can significantly reduce output if panels become covered, explaining part of the low winter production figures.
• The region experiences cloudy conditions, particularly during winter months, further limiting solar potential.
• Seasonal humidity and fog, common in the Ohio Valley region, can diminish solar efficiency.
• Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, poses risks to solar installations.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider these preventative measures:

• Install panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt to facilitate snow shedding and optimize year-round production.
• Use quality mounting systems rated for local wind conditions.
• Consider snow-removal systems or accessible panel placement to allow manual clearing during winter months.
• Implement regular cleaning maintenance to remove dust, pollen, and other accumulations that can reduce efficiency.
• Select panels with good low-light performance to maximize energy capture during cloudy periods.

While not ideal for consistent year-round production, Clinton's location can still provide meaningful solar energy generation, particularly if system sizing accounts for the seasonal variations and appropriate preventative measures are implemented.

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 Clinton, Indiana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.6491, Longitude: -87.3954 (Clinton, Indiana, 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 Clinton, Indiana, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clinton, Indiana, United States (Lat/Long 39.6491, -87.3954) 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 Clinton, Indiana, 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 Clinton, Indiana, 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	54° 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 Clinton, Indiana, 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 Clinton, Indiana, 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 Clinton, Indiana, United States

Clinton, Indiana is situated in the western part of the state, near the Illinois border in Vermillion County. The topography of this area is characterized primarily by gently rolling plains and river valleys, which is typical of the central lowlands physiographic region of the United States. The landscape around Clinton has been significantly shaped by the Wabash River, which flows south-southwest through the region.

Terrain Features

The terrain around Clinton consists mainly of relatively flat to gently undulating land. Elevations in the area typically range from about 480 to 600 feet above sea level, with minimal dramatic relief features. This part of Indiana was heavily influenced by glacial activity during the Pleistocene epoch, which left behind a landscape of till plains and outwash features. The Wabash River valley forms a significant topographical feature in the region, with the river itself located just to the west of Clinton. The valley creates some modest bluffs and terraces, particularly along the eastern bank of the river. These river bluffs represent some of the few areas with more significant elevation changes in an otherwise subdued landscape.

Land Use Patterns

The area surrounding Clinton is predominantly agricultural land, with extensive crop fields dominating the landscape. The flat terrain and rich soils make this region ideal for farming, particularly for crops like corn and soybeans. Interspersed among these agricultural areas are small woodlots, stream corridors with riparian vegetation, and scattered rural settlements. The urban development of Clinton itself creates a small pocket of more intensive land use, but the town is relatively small and compact compared to the surrounding rural landscape.

Potential for Solar PV Development

Several characteristics of the Clinton area make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development: The flat to gently rolling terrain east and south of Clinton presents minimal challenges for solar installation and maintenance. These areas would require less grading and site preparation than more rugged landscapes, reducing development costs and environmental impacts. Agricultural lands that are currently less productive or marginal for farming could be ideal candidates for solar conversion. The relatively large, open parcels typical of this region would allow for efficient, contiguous solar arrays. Areas slightly elevated from the Wabash River floodplain would be particularly suitable, as they would minimize flood risk while still maintaining the advantageous flat topography. The eastern portions of Vermillion County, moving away from the river, generally offer better options in this regard.

Topographical Constraints

Despite the generally favorable terrain, some areas around Clinton present challenges for large-scale solar development: The immediate floodplain of the Wabash River should be avoided due to periodic flooding risks and the higher value of these areas for ecological services. Locations with significant tree cover would require clearing, increasing both the environmental impact and development costs of solar projects. Areas with steep slopes, particularly along the eastern bluffs of the Wabash River, would be more challenging and expensive to develop for solar installations. The most promising areas for large-scale solar PV development near Clinton would be the flat agricultural lands to the east and southeast of the town, particularly those that are currently used for lower-value agricultural purposes or are lying fallow. These areas combine favorable topography with good access to existing infrastructure, including roads and transmission lines that follow the development patterns along the Wabash River valley.

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.