Solar PV Analysis of Westmont, United States
The location at Westmont, Illinois, in the United States is moderately good for generating energy through solar panels year-round. It's not the best, but it's also not the worst.
During summer and spring, you can expect a relatively high amount of electricity to be generated from your solar panels - about 6.27 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.30 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This means that during these seasons, your solar panels will be quite productive.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to around 3.39 kWh/day and 2.05 kWh/day respectively for each kW of installed solar capacity. This suggests that there will be less sunlight available to convert into electricity during these seasons.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing south.
There are some factors specific to Westmont that could affect how much energy you can generate with your solar panels:
1) Weather: Illinois experiences all four seasons with varying levels of cloud cover which might reduce sunlight availability particularly in fall and winter months.
2) Snowfall: During winter months heavy snowfall could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or even damaging them over time if not properly maintained.
Preventative measures include:
- Regular cleaning/maintenance especially after extreme weather events like storms or heavy snowfall.
- You may want to consider installing a system that allows you to adjust panel angles seasonally – tilting them more directly towards sun when it’s lower on horizon in colder months may help increase production somewhat despite shorter days.
- Installing a battery storage system would allow excess power produced during sunnier times of year/ day stored for use when production is low due weather conditions etc.
Remember though every situation is unique and you should consult with a solar installation professional for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
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 Westmont
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.7723, Longitude: -87.9796 (Westmont, 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 36° South in Westmont, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Westmont, United States (Lat/Long 41.7723, -87.9796) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Westmont, 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 Westmont, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 35° 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 Westmont, 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 Westmont, 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 Westmont, United States
Westmont, located in the state of Illinois, United States, has a relatively flat topography. It is part of the larger Chicago metropolitan area and is situated on the northeastern part of Illinois which is characterized by mostly level plains.
The areas around Westmont that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations are open fields or farmlands with minimal shading from trees or buildings. These could include rural areas outside the city where there's plenty of sunlight exposure and fewer obstructions.
It's also worth considering rooftops of large commercial or industrial buildings within Westmont itself for smaller scale solar installations. This can help to utilize already developed land and reduce transmission losses associated with transporting electricity over long distances.
However, it should be noted that while Illinois does receive enough sunlight to generate solar power, it might not be as efficient as locations closer to the equator or in sunnier climates like Arizona or California. Nonetheless, advancements in technology are making solar power more viable in a wider range of climates and latitudes.
Before setting up any large-scale solar PV system though, one must conduct a detailed site-specific assessment including aspects like local climate conditions (sunlight hours), potential shading issues, orientation and tilt angles for panels among others.
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: Monday 17th 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.
