Solar PV Analysis of Thompsonville, United States
Thompsonville, Michigan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed scenario for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) systems. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight both opportunities and challenges for solar power production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy generation in Thompsonville experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.34 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.13 kWh/day. However, the colder months see a substantial decrease in energy production. Autumn generates 2.97 kWh/day, while winter performance drops to a mere 1.62 kWh/day.
Optimal Installation Angle
For fixed panel installations in Thompsonville, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 38 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors can impact solar production in Thompsonville:
- Snowfall: Michigan's winter months often bring heavy snowfall, which can cover solar panels and significantly reduce their efficiency.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloud cover, particularly in autumn and winter, which can diminish solar energy production.
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use snow-shedding coatings on panels
- Implement a regular panel cleaning schedule
- Consider a ground-mounted system for easier maintenance access
Conclusion
While Thompsonville's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production due to significant seasonal variations and weather challenges, it still offers substantial potential during spring and summer months. With proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, a solar PV system can provide meaningful energy contributions, particularly from late spring through early fall.
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 Thompsonville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.5179, Longitude: -85.9511 (Thompsonville, 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 Thompsonville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thompsonville, United States (Lat/Long 44.5179, -85.9511) 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 Thompsonville, 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 Thompsonville, 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 | 58° 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 Thompsonville, 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 Thompsonville, 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 Thompsonville, United States
The area around Thompsonville, located in northwestern Michigan, has a varied and interesting topography. This region is characterized by gently rolling hills, interspersed with flat areas and some steeper slopes. The landscape has been shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in a mix of terrain types.
The area features numerous small lakes, ponds, and streams, which are common throughout this part of Michigan. These water bodies are often surrounded by forested areas, primarily consisting of mixed hardwood and coniferous trees. The forests give way to open fields and farmland in some areas, creating a patchwork of different land uses.
The elevation in and around Thompsonville varies, but generally ranges from about 800 to 1,000 feet above sea level. This variation in elevation contributes to the rolling nature of the landscape. The nearby Manistee River valley adds to the topographic diversity, with some steeper slopes leading down to the river.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter, open spaces. These would typically be former agricultural lands or cleared areas that are not heavily forested. Ideal locations would have a southerly aspect, meaning they face towards the south to maximize sun exposure throughout the day.
Some potential areas for solar development might be found to the east and southeast of Thompsonville, where there are more expansive flat or gently sloping areas. However, it's important to note that site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most appropriate locations. Factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would all play a role in identifying the best sites for large-scale solar PV projects in this region.
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: Thursday 19th of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
