Westby, Wisconsin, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that are typical for northern latitudes.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.39kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.05kWh per day per kW, offering substantial energy production as daylight hours increase. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.31kWh per day per kW as the sun angle decreases and weather patterns change. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.27kWh per day per kW, representing less than half of the summer output. For optimal year-round performance, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by balancing the varying sun angles throughout the year.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental and weather factors in Westby, Wisconsin can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Snow accumulation: Wisconsin winters bring substantial snowfall that can completely block solar panels for days or weeks
• Ice formation: Freezing rain and ice storms can create persistent coverings on panel surfaces
• Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly during winter months
• Seasonal storms: Severe weather including hail, high winds, and thunderstorms can damage equipment

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective:

• Steeper panel angles: Installing panels at angles greater than 38 degrees helps snow slide off more readily
• Quality mounting systems: Robust racking designed for high snow loads and wind resistance
• Strategic panel placement: Positioning panels to minimize shading from trees, buildings, or accumulated snow
• Accessible design: Planning installations that allow safe snow removal when necessary
• Microinverters or power optimizers: These help maintain production when some panels are partially shaded or snow-covered

Despite the winter production challenges, Westby's strong summer and spring performance, combined with proper installation techniques, can make solar energy a viable option for reducing annual electricity costs and environmental impact.

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 Westby

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.6569, Longitude: -90.8543 (Westby, 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 Westby, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Westby, United States (Lat/Long 43.6569, -90.8543) 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 Westby, 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 Westby, 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 Westby, 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 Westby, 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 Westby, United States

Topography Around Westby

Westby sits in the heart of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, a unique geological region characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, and steep ridges that escaped glaciation during the last ice age. The landscape around this small community features a distinctive topography of rugged terrain with elevations varying significantly across short distances. The area is dominated by sandstone bluffs and limestone outcroppings that create dramatic changes in elevation, with ridgetops often rising several hundred feet above the valley floors.

The immediate vicinity of Westby is nestled within a network of coulees - narrow valleys carved by ancient streams that wind between the hills. These valleys typically contain fertile agricultural land, while the surrounding hillsides range from gentle slopes to steep, wooded bluffs. The terrain becomes increasingly hilly as one moves away from the main valley systems, with some areas featuring slopes too steep for traditional agriculture or development.

Drainage patterns in the region follow the natural contours of the land, with numerous small streams and creeks flowing through the valleys toward larger waterways. The combination of varied elevation, diverse slope angles, and mixed land use creates a complex mosaic of agricultural fields, woodlands, and developed areas scattered throughout the rolling landscape.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Westby would be the flatter agricultural areas found in the broader valley bottoms and on the gentler slopes of the surrounding hills. These areas typically offer the most consistent terrain for mounting solar arrays while requiring minimal grading or earthwork. The agricultural fields in the main valleys provide relatively level ground with good accessibility for construction equipment and maintenance vehicles.

South-facing slopes with moderate gradients present excellent opportunities for solar development, as they naturally orient panels toward optimal sun exposure while remaining accessible for installation and maintenance. These hillside locations often avoid the prime agricultural soils found in valley bottoms, potentially reducing conflicts with farming operations. The elevated positions also provide good drainage and air circulation around solar installations.

Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development include the steepest bluff faces and heavily wooded ridgetops, which would require extensive clearing and grading. The narrow coulees with significant shading from surrounding hills would also be less favorable, as would wetland areas and floodplains near streams. The most practical sites would likely be found on the broader hilltops with gentle slopes and in the wider valley areas where agricultural use has already established relatively flat, accessible terrain.

Transportation infrastructure access plays a crucial role in site selection, favoring locations near existing roads that can accommodate the heavy equipment needed for solar installation. The agricultural areas around Westby generally have good road access, making them more practical for large-scale solar development compared to remote hilltop locations that might require new access routes.

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.