Solar PV Analysis of West Bend, United States
West Bend, Wisconsin, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's location at latitude 43.4473 and longitude -88.2139 experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in West Bend peaks during the summer months, with an average daily output of 6.38 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.25 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 3.27 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.19 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. While summer offers excellent solar potential, the reduced output during winter months may require supplementary energy sources or increased panel capacity to maintain consistent power supply.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in West Bend, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
West Bend's location in the Northern Temperate Zone presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences significant snowfall during winter months, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. To mitigate this issue, installers should consider:
- Using panels with a steeper tilt angle to encourage snow sliding off
- Implementing snow removal systems or regular manual clearing
- Selecting high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions
Additionally, the area's occasional severe thunderstorms during spring and summer may pose a risk to solar installations. Robust mounting systems and surge protection devices should be incorporated to safeguard against strong winds and lightning strikes.
Despite these challenges, with proper planning and installation techniques, West Bend can still harness considerable solar energy, particularly during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer.
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 West Bend
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.4473, Longitude: -88.2139 (West Bend, 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 West Bend, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in West Bend, United States (Lat/Long 43.4473, -88.2139) 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 West Bend, 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 West Bend, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 West Bend, 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 West Bend, 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 West Bend, United States
The topography around West Bend, Wisconsin, is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys, typical of the glacially-shaped landscape found in much of southeastern Wisconsin. This area, part of the Eastern Ridges and Lowlands geographical region, was formed by the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age, leaving behind a mix of features including drumlins (elongated hills), moraines (ridges of glacial debris), and kettle lakes.
The terrain in and around West Bend is generally moderate in elevation, with subtle changes in altitude throughout the area. The city itself sits at an elevation of around 900 feet above sea level. The surrounding countryside includes a combination of agricultural land, wooded areas, and numerous small lakes and ponds. The Milwaukee River flows through the city, adding to the varied landscape.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the more open, rural spaces surrounding West Bend. Ideal locations would have the following characteristics:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping land to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure
- Open fields with minimal tree cover or other obstructions that could cast shadows
- Areas not prone to flooding or excessive erosion
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection
- Land that is not prime agricultural soil, to avoid competition with food production
The agricultural areas to the west and northwest of West Bend might offer good potential for solar PV development. These regions tend to have more open, level terrain that could accommodate large arrays of solar panels. Additionally, some of the slightly elevated areas on the rolling hills could provide advantageous positioning for solar installations, as long as they are not too steep or unstable.
It's important to note that while the topography around West Bend is generally favorable for solar PV, specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and community acceptance would also play crucial roles in identifying the best areas for large-scale solar development 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 25th of July 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
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