Solar PV Analysis of Terre Haute, United States
Terre Haute, Indiana is a decent location for generating solar energy all year round, but it's not the best. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar power changes with each season. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity - 6.37 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.43 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for every kilowatt of solar panels installed.
However, during fall and winter the output drops significantly because there are fewer daylight hours and the sun isn't as strong. You'll only get around 3.74 kWh/day in autumn and even less at 2.21 kWh/day in winter.
Therefore, if you're planning on installing solar panels here, the best times to harvest solar energy would be during spring and summer when sunlight is plentiful.
For optimal results from your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing southwards.
As far as local factors that could affect your ability to generate solar power go; Terre Haute has a humid continental climate which means it experiences hot summers and cold winters which might affect panel efficiency slightly but not too significantly overall.
The main concern would likely be snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels reducing their effectiveness or causing potential damage if heavy enough. To prevent this issue from impacting your energy production too much you may need to install devices that help remove snow off them or manually clear them yourself when necessary after heavy snowfalls occur.
Another potential issue could be trees or other tall structures casting shadows onto your panels limiting their exposure to sunlight especially if located near residential areas or parks with lots of greenery; so choosing an installation site with minimal obstruction would also help ensure greater energy production year-round.
In conclusion; while Terre Haute isn't exactly ideal due its seasonal variations affecting output levels somewhat, with the right setup and maintenance it can still be a viable location for solar energy production.
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 Terre Haute
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.4642, Longitude: -87.3531 (Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Terre Haute, United States (Lat/Long 39.4642, -87.3531) 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 Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, United States
Terre Haute, Indiana, is located in the Midwest region of the United States and is characterized by a relatively flat topography. The area is part of the Central Lowland region of the U.S., which features gently rolling terrain interspersed with low hills and broad river valleys.
This type of terrain can be advantageous for solar PV installations because it minimizes shading issues that could reduce panel efficiency. Additionally, large areas of flat or gently sloping land are easier to develop for large-scale solar projects than more rugged or steeply sloped landscapes.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Terre Haute would likely be open fields and farmland where there's ample sunlight exposure without significant obstructions. These could include rural areas surrounding Terre Haute such as those towards Sullivan County to the south or Vermillion County to the north.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on factors like local zoning regulations, proximity to power grids for energy transmission, soil stability for installation structures, and potential environmental impacts. Therefore thorough site assessments would need to be conducted before any definitive decisions can be made.
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: Wednesday 26th of June 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.
